Safety Standard For Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts: ASME A18.1-2020

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ASME A18.1-2020
(Revision of ASME A18.1-2017)
Safety Standard for
Stairway Chairlifts
Platform Lifts and
A N A M E R I C A N N AT I O N A L STA N DA R D
(Revision of ASME A18.1-2017)
ASME A18.1-2020
Safety Standard for
Stairway Chairlifts
Platform Lifts and
AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD
x
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Date of Issuance: February 26, 2021
The next edition of this Standard is scheduled for publication in 2023. This Standard will become effective 6 months after the
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CONTENTS
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Committee Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Correspondence With the A18 Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Summary of Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Vertical Platform Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Inclined Platform Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 Inclined Stairway Chairlifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5 Private Residence Vertical Platform Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
6 Private Residence Inclined Platform Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7 Private Residence Inclined Stairway Chairlifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
8 Driving Means . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
9 Engineering Type Testing and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
10 Acceptance and Periodic Inspections and Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
11 Maintenance of Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Nonmandatory Appendices
A Performance Area Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
B Controls for Performance Area Lifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Figures
2.6.7 Platform Lift Corridor Call Station Pictograph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
9.7 Minimum Loads to Sustain and Lower Based on Inside Net Platform Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
A-1 Performance Area Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
B-1 Performance Area Lift Control Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tables
1.5-1 Reference Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.5-2 Procurement Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
iii
FOREWORD
The consensus committee that approved the Standard was balanced to ensure that individuals from competent and
concerned interests have had an opportunity to participate.
This Standard is intended to serve as the basis for state, municipal, and other jurisdictional authorities in drafting
regulations governing the installation, testing, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and repair of platform lifts and
stairway chairlifts. It is also intended as a standard reference of safety requirements for the guidance of architects,
engineers, insurance companies, manufacturers, and contractors, and as a standard of safety practices for owners
and managers of structures where equipment covered in the scope of this Standard is used.
This Standard is available for public review on a continuing basis. This provides an opportunity for additional public
input from industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and the public-at-large.
Safety codes and standards are intended to enhance public health and safety. Revisions result from committee consid-
eration of factors such as technological advances, new data, and changing environmental and industry needs. Revisions do
not imply that previous editions were inadequate.
It should be pointed out that any governmental jurisdiction has authority over any particular installation. Inquiries
dealing with problems of a local character should be directed to the proper authority of such jurisdiction. It is recom-
mended that, prior to adoption, all pertinent state and local laws or ordinances be reviewed and where there is a conflict
with any of the requirements of this Standard, an exception to such conflicting requirement be noted, quoting the section
of the law that applies.
Equipment covered by this Standard was originally incorporated as a 1983 supplement to ANSI/ASME A17.1-1981,
Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. In ANSI/ASME A17.1b-1983, a new Part XXI covering private residence inclined
stairway chairlifts and inclined and vertical wheelchair lifts was added. Part XX was added to cover these same devices
installed in buildings other than private residences.
In 1996, as a result of the effort to harmonize the ASME A17.1 Code and the CAN/CSA-B44 Safety Code for Elevators, a
new Main Committee on Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts was established. The Committee developed the first
edition, which incorporated Parts XX and XXI, as well as the applicable cross-references in ASME A17.1-1996, up
to and including ASME A17.1a-1997.
The first edition of this Standard was approved by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Committee

on Platform Lifts and Stairway Lifts, was approved and designated as an American National Standard by the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) on June 21, 1999, and issued on July 26, 1999. The ASME A18.1a-2001 Addenda was
approved on January 30, 2001, and issued on March 26, 2001. The ASME A18.1b-2001 Addenda was approved on
December 11, 2001, and issued on April 11, 2002.
The second edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on July 29, 2003, and was issued on September 12, 2003.
The third edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on May 6, 2005, and was issued on November 29, 2005.
The fourth edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on July 3, 2008, and was issued on August 28, 2008.
The fifth edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on August 31, 2011, and was issed on October 31, 2011.
The sixth edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on July 10, 2014, and was issued on September 12, 2014.
The seventh edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on August 3, 2017, and was issued on October 5, 2017.
The eighth edition of this Standard was approved by ANSI on June 18, 2020, and was issued on February 26, 2021.
iv
ASME A18 COMMITTEE
Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts
(The following is the roster of the Committee at the time of approval of this Standard.)
STANDARDS COMMITTEE OFFICERS

W. Richardson, Chair
D. W. Boydston, Vice Chair
E. Dominguez, Secretary
STANDARDS COMMITTEE PERSONNEL

P. D. Barnhart, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. S. Z. Sanossian, SZS Consulting Group, LLC
F. A. Belio, Jr., IUEC Local Number 18 P. B. Seidel, Precision Lift Industries
D. W. Boydston, Handi-Lift, Inc. M. Townsend, Garaventa Lift
K. L. Brinkman, National Elevator Industry, Inc. R. B. Weber, Accessibility Systems, Inc.
P. Chance, Elevator Ready, Inc. L. Yang, CSA Group
E. Dominguez, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers E. Zuercher, Ascension, a Division of AGM
P. Edwards, Soft Landings Vertical Services, Inc. P. Brobeck, Alternate, Ascension, a Division of AGM
G. E. Hedman, University of Illinois at Chicago P. Clifton, Alternate, Stannah Lifts
J. T. Herrity, U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Command A. DiGiovanni, Alternate, Hoveround Corp.
F. M. Hoch, Inclinator Company of America T. Evans, Alternate, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
R. S. Hultstrom, Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund R. J. Murphy, Alternate, Garaventa Lift
P. M. Isaac, Gable Elevator T. E. O’Brien, Alternate, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
D. Kalgren, KONE J. H. Burpee, Contributing Member, State of Maine
T. A. Kassens, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc. G. L. Harmon, Contributing Member, Retired
S. Leathley, Stannah Stairlifts C. McDilda, Contributing Member, EEIS
M. W. McKinley, McKinley Elevator Corp. S. Mercier, Contributing Member, Regie du Batiment du Quebec
S. J. Mehalko, Harmar Mobility, LLC J. L. Meyer, Contributing Member, National Elevator Inspection
R. J. Munch, Hoveround Corp. Services, a Bureau Veritas Co.

J. E. Newstrom, Arrow Lift W. R. Page, Contributing Member, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
W. Richardson, Savaria Concord Lifts, Inc. J. Rearick, Contributing Member, Rearick and Co., Inc.
W. P. Rockhold, ACME Home Elevator C. D. Robinson Contributing Member, Elevator Inspection, LLC
J. R. Runyan, State of Washington
v
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE A18 COMMITTEE
General. ASME Standards are developed and maintained with the intent to represent the consensus of concerned
interests. As such, users of this Standard may interact with the Committee by requesting interpretations, proposing
revisions or a case, and attending Committee meetings. Correspondence should be addressed to:
Secretary, A18 Standards Committee

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Two Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016-5990
http://go.asme.org/Inquiry
Proposing Revisions. Revisions are made periodically to the Standard to incorporate changes that appear necessary
or desirable, as demonstrated by the experience gained from the application of the Standard. Approved revisions will be
published periodically.
The Committee welcomes proposals for revisions to this Standard. Such proposals should be as specific as possible,
citing the paragraph number(s), the proposed wording, and a detailed description of the reasons for the proposal,
including any pertinent documentation.
Proposing a Case. Cases may be issued to provide alternative rules when justified, to permit early implementation of
an approved revision when the need is urgent, or to provide rules not covered by existing provisions. Cases are effective
immediately upon ASME approval and shall be posted on the ASME Committee web page.
Requests for Cases shall provide a Statement of Need and Background Information. The request should identify the
Standard and the paragraph, figure, or table number(s), and be written as a Question and Reply in the same format as
existing Cases. Requests for Cases should also indicate the applicable edition(s) of the Standard to which the proposed
Case applies.
Interpretations. Upon request, the A18 Standards Committee will render an interpretation of any requirement of the
Standard. Interpretations can only be rendered in response to a written request sent to the Secretary of the A18 Standards

Committee.
Requests for interpretation should preferably be submitted through the online Interpretation Submittal Form. The
form is accessible at http://go.asme.org/InterpretationRequest. Upon submittal of the form, the Inquirer will receive an
automatic e-mail confirming receipt.
If the Inquirer is unable to use the online form, he/she may mail the request to the Secretary of the A18 Standards
Committee at the above address. The request for an interpretation should be clear and unambiguous. It is further rec-
ommended that the Inquirer submit his/her request in the following format:
Subject: Cite the applicable paragraph number(s) and the topic of the inquiry in one or two words.
Edition: Cite the applicable edition of the Standard for which the interpretation is being requested.
Question: Phrase the question as a request for an interpretation of a specific requirement suitable for
general understanding and use, not as a request for an approval of a proprietary design or
situation. Please provide a condensed and precise question, composed in such a way that a
“yes” or “no” reply is acceptable.
Proposed Reply(ies): Provide a proposed reply(ies) in the form of “Yes” or “No,” with explanation as needed. If
entering replies to more than one question, please number the questions and replies.
Background Information: Provide the Committee with any background information that will assist the Committee in
understanding the inquiry. The Inquirer may also include any plans or drawings that are
necessary to explain the question; however, they should not contain proprietary names or
information.
vi
Requests that are not in the format described above may be rewritten in the appropriate format by the Committee prior
to being answered, which may inadvertently change the intent of the original request.
Moreover, ASME does not act as a consultant for specific engineering problems or for the general application or
understanding of the Standard requirements. If, based on the inquiry information submitted, it is the opinion of
the Committee that the Inquirer should seek assistance, the inquiry will be returned with the recommendation
that such assistance be obtained.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of any interpretation when or if additional information that might affect
an interpretation is available. Further, persons aggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME
Committee or Subcommittee. ASME does not “approve,” “certify,” “rate,” or “endorse” any item, construction, proprietary
device, or activity.
Attending Committee Meetings. The A18 Standards Committee regularly holds meetings and/or telephone confer-
ences that are open to the public. Persons wishing to attend any meeting and/or telephone conference should contact the
Secretary of the A18 Standards Committee.
vii
ASME A18.1-2020
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Following approval by the ASME A18 Committee and ASME, and after public review, ASME A18.1-2020 was approved by
the American National Standards Institute on June 18, 2020.
ASME A18.1-2020 includes the following changes identified by a margin note, (20).
Page Location Change

1 1.3 (1) Definitions of inspection and tests acceptance, periodic, and
routine deleted
(2) Definitions of performance area and Type A safeties added
(3) Definition of inclined stairway chairlift editorially revised
6 Table 1.5-1 (1) Entry for ANSI/ASSE A10.4 updated
(2) Cross-references under "A18.1 References" updated to reflect
revisions in text
7 Table 1.5-2 Revised
8 2.1 Revised
8 2.1.1.2 Revised in its entirety
13 2.1.5.2 Revised
13 2.1.6 Added and former 2.1.6 through 2.1.10 redesignated

16 2.3.8 Revised
18 2.6.2 Revised
18 2.6.3 Editorially revised
18 2.6.5 Revised
18 2.6.9 Added
19 2.7.1 Revised
21 2.8.6 Revised
21 2.9.5 Revised
21 2.10.1 Revised
22 2.10.10 Revised in its entirety
23 2.11.1 Revised
23 2.11.2 Revised
23 2.12 Revised
25 3.3.1.7 Added
27 3.6.6 Revised
29 3.8.3.1 Revised
29 3.10.1 Revised
viii
Page Location Change
31 3.11.2 Revised
31 3.11.3 Added
31 3.12 Revised
34 4.8.1.2 Revised
34 4.8.3.1 Revised
35 4.10.1 Revised
39 5.3.8 Revised
42 5.8.6 Revised
42 5.9.5 Revised
42 5.10.1 Revised
44 5.12 Added
44 6.2.1.2 Revised
45 6.3.1.7 Added
47 6.6.4.3 Editorially revised
48 6.8.1.2 Revised
48 6.8.4 Revised
49 6.10.1 Revised
50 6.12 Added
53 7.8.1.2 Editorially revised
53 7.8.4 Revised

54 7.10.1 Revised
56 8.1.4.8 Subparagraph (c) editorially revised
57 8.1.7.2.1 Editorially revised
60 9.7 In the nomenclature, unit of measure for A revised
62 9.9 (1) Paragraph 9.9.1 deleted, subsequent paragraphs
redesignated, and cross-references updated
(2) Former paras. 9.9.2 and 9.9.3 revised
64 10 Revised in its entirety
66 11.1.2 Subparagraph (c) revised
67 Nonmandatory Appendix A Added
68 Nonmandatory Appendix B Added
ix
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
x
ASME A18.1-2020
SAFETY STANDARD FOR PLATFORM LIFTS AND

STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS
1 INTRODUCTION The provisions of this Standard are not intended to

prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equiva-
1.1 Scope lent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effective-
ness, durability, and safety to those prescribed by this
1.1.1 Equipment Covered by This Standard. This safety
Standard, provided that there is technical documentation
Standard covers the design, construction, installation,
to demonstrate the equivalency of the system, method, or
operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair
device.
of inclined stairway chairlifts and inclined and vertical
The specific requirements of this Standard shall be
platform lifts intended for transportation of a mobility-
permitted to be modified by the authority having jurisdic-
impaired person only. The device shall have a limited
tion based on technical documentation or physical perfor-
vertical travel, operating speed, and platform area. Opera-
mance verification to allow alternative arrangements that
tion shall be under continuous control of the user/atten-
will assure safety equivalent to that which would be
dant. The device shall not penetrate more than one floor. A
provided by conformance to the corresponding require-
full passenger enclosure on the platform shall be prohib-
ments of this Standard.
ited.
1.1.2 Equipment Not Covered by This Standard. 1.3 Definitions ð20Þ
Equipment not covered by this Standard includes, but This section defines various terms used in this Standard.
is not limited to, the following:
(a) elevators, escalators, moving walkways, material alteration: any change to equipment other than mainte-
lifts, and dumbwaiters within the scope of ASME nance, repair, or replacement.
A17.1-1997 and later editions approved: acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
(b) personnel hoists within the scope of ANSI/ASSE authority having jurisdiction: organization, office, or indi-
A10.4 vidual responsible for approving equipment. Where

(c) manlifts within the scope of ASME A90.1 compliance with this Standard has been mandated by
(d) powered platforms and equipment for exterior and law, the “authority having jurisdiction” is the federal,
interior building maintenance within the scope of ASME state, or local department or individual so designated
A120.1 in the enacting legislation or administrative regulation.
(e) portable equipment
(f) amusement devices authorized personnel: persons who have been instructed
(g) stage and orchestra lifts in the operation of the equipment and designated by the
owner to manage the use of the equipment.
1.1.3 Application. This Standard applies to new instal-
building code: an ordinance that sets forth requirements
lations only, except section 10, which applies to new and
for building design and construction, or where such an
existing installations.
ordinance has not been enacted, the International Code
1.1.4 Effective Date. The requirements of this edition Council (ICC), International Building Code (IBC), and
of the Standard are effective as of the date established by International Residential Code (IRC) are the code stan-
the local regulations of the authority having jurisdiction. dards.
Where the Standard has not been adopted by local regula- cable, traveling: see traveling cable.
tion and a specific edition has not been stipulated by
contractual agreement, compliance with this edition is capacity: see rated load.
recommended as of the effective date listed in the certified: a certification by a testing laboratory, a profes-
front of the document. sional engineer, a manufacturer, or a contractor that a
device or an assembly conforms to the requirements of
1.2 Purpose and Exceptions this Standard.
The purpose of this Standard is to provide for the safety
of life and limb, and to promote public welfare.
1
ASME A18.1-2020
combination mechanical lock and electric contact: a combi- factor of safety: the ratio of the ultimate strength to the
nation mechanical and electrical device with two related working stress of a member under maximum static
but entirely independent functions that are loading, unless otherwise specified in a particular rule.
(a) to prevent operation of the driving machine by the full passenger enclosure: an assembly inclusive of the plat-
normal operating device, unless the door or gate is in the form top, minimum 2 000 mm (79 in.) tall walls, minimum
closed position 2 000 mm (79 in.) tall platform doors, and platform floor.
(b) to lock the door or gate in the closed position and
prevent it from being opened from the landing side, unless gate: see door or gate.
the platform is within the specified distance from the governor: see speed governor.
landing governor pull-retarding means: a mechanical means of
compensating-rope sheave switch: a device that automat- developing a sufficient force in the governor rope to acti-
ically causes the electric power to be removed from the vate the platform or counterweight safeties or to trip the
driving-machine motor and brake when the compensating governor rope releasing carrier, where used. Such
sheave approaches its upper or lower limit of travel. mechanical means include, but are not limited to, rope-
contacts: see door or gate electric contact. gripping jaws, clutch mechanisms, and traction arrange-
ments.
control: the system governing the starting, stopping, direc-
tion of motion, acceleration, speed, and retardation of the governor pull-through tension (force): the magnitude of the
moving member. tensile load developed in the moving governor rope after
the governor rope-retarding means is actuated.
controller: a device or group of devices that serves to
control in a predetermined manner the apparatus to inclined platform lift: a guided, powered hoisting and
which it is connected. lowering mechanism equipped with a seat to transport
seated passengers along stairways.
door or gate: the movable portion(s) of the platform or
runway entrance that closes the opening providing inclined stairway chairlift: a guided, powered hoisting and
access to the platform or landing. It consists of one or lowering mechanism, equipped with a seat to transport
more panels that may be equipped with a vision panel. seated passengers along stairways.
door or gate, manually operated: door or gate that is installation: a complete platform lift or stairway chairlift,
opened and closed by hand. including all machinery and equipment necessary for its
door or gate, power-operated: a door or gate that is operation.
opened and closed by a door or gate power-operator. installation, existing: an installation that has been
door or gate, self-closing: a manually operated door or completed or is under construction prior to the effective
gate that closes when released or a power-operated door date of this Standard.

or gate. installation, new: any installation not classified as an
door or gate closer: a device that closes a door or gate by existing installation by definition, or an existing platform
means of a spring or gravity. lift or stairway chairlift moved to a new location subse-
quent to the effective date of this Standard.
door or gate electric contact: an electrical device, the func- installation, placed out of service: an installation whose
tion of which is to prevent operation of the driving power feed lines have been disconnected from the
machine by the normal operating device unless the machine disconnect switch.
door or gate is in the closed position.
labeled: equipment or materials to which has been
door or gate power-operator: a device or assembly of attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of
devices that opens a door or gate by power other than an independent certifying organization concerned with
by hand, gravity, springs, or the movement of the platform; product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection
and that closes the door or gate by power other than by of production of labeled equipment or materials and
hand, gravity, or the movement of the platform. by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance
driving machine: see machine, driving. with appropriate standards or performance in a specified
emergency stop switch: a device that, when manually oper- manner.
ated, causes the lift to halt its motion. landing: that portion of a floor, balcony, or platform used
enforcing authority: see authority having jurisdiction. to receive and discharge passengers.
landing, bottom terminal: the lowest landing served.
entrance hardware: all components of an entrance, exclu- landing, top terminal: the highest landing served.
sive of the frame, door panels, and locks, that are necessary landing, unenclosed: a landing that is open to the atmo-
to maintain the position of the panels within the assembly. sphere or is open to an interior court of a building.
2
ASME A18.1-2020
lever hydraulic driving machine: a hydraulic machine in pinion(s) mounted on the platform, traveling on a
which the plunger or cylinder is attached to the platform stationary rack mounted in the runway.
via levers. rope sprocket drive: a driving means consisting of wire
lever screw driving machine: a screw machine in which the rope with fixed links at constant intervals throughout its
screw or nut is attached to the platform via levers. length. The links engage in slots on a grooved drive cog to
provide a positive drive force.
lift personnel: persons who have been trained in the roped-hydraulic driving machine: a hydraulic driving
construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, or testing machine in which the plunger or piston is connected
of the lift. to the platform with wire ropes or indirectly coupled
listed: equipment or materials included in a list published to the platform by means of wire ropes and sheaves. It
by an independent certifying organization concerned with includes the cylinder, the plunger or piston, and multi-
product evaluation that maintains periodic inspection of plying sheaves, if any, and their guides.
production of listed equipment or materials and whose screw machine: an electric driving machine, the motor of
listing states whether that equipment or material which drives a nut on a screw or rotates a screw to raise or
meets appropriate standards or has been tested and lower a platform lift or stairway chairlift.
found suitable for use in a specified manner. traction machine: a direct-drive machine in which the
machine, driving: the power unit that applies the energy motion of a platform is obtained through traction between
necessary to raise and lower equipment covered by the the suspension ropes and a traction sheave.
scope of this Standard. winding drum machine: a geared-drive machine in
belt-drive machine: an indirect-drive machine equipped which the suspension ropes are fastened to and wind
with a belt system as the connecting means. on a drum.
chain-drive machine: an indirect-drive machine with a worm-geared machine: a direct-drive machine in which
chain system as the connecting means. the energy from the motor is transmitted to the driving
direct-drive machine: an electric driving machine, the sheave or drum through worm gearing.
motor of which is directly connected mechanically to main floor: the floor providing normal egress from a
the driving sheave, drum, or shaft without the use of building.
belts or chains, either with or without intermediate gears. maintenance: a process of routine examination, lubrica-
direct-plunger driving machine: a hydraulic driving tion, cleaning, adjustment, and replacement of parts for
machine in which the plunger or cylinder is directly the purpose of ensuring performance in accordance
attached to the platform. with the applicable Standard requirements.
electric driving machine: a driving machine where the
energy is applied by an electric motor. It includes the masonry: built-up construction or combination of building
motor, brake, and the driving sheave or drum together units or materials of clay, shale, concrete, glass, gypsum,

with its connecting gearing, belt, or chain, if any. stone, or other approved units bonded together with
friction machine: a direct-drive machine in which the mortar or monolithic concrete. Reinforced concrete is
motion of the platform is obtained through friction not classed as masonry.
between a guiding means and driving wheels or rollers. operating device: the switch, push-button, lever, or other
geared-drive machine: a direct-drive machine in which device used to actuate the control.
the energy is transmitted from the motor to the driving operation: the method of actuating the control.
sheave, drum, or shaft through gearing. operation, continuous-pressure: operation by means of
geared-traction machine: a geared-drive traction buttons or switches on the platform lift or stairway chair-
machine. lift and on the platform, any one of which may be used to
gearless-traction machine: a traction machine, without control the movement of the platform lift as long as the
intermediate gearing, that has the traction sheave and the button or switch is manually maintained in the actuating
brake drum mounted directly on the motor shaft. position.
hydraulic driving machine: one in which the energy is
applied by means of a liquid under pressure in a cylinder overhead structure: all of the structural members
equipped with a plunger or piston. supporting the machinery, sheaves, and equipment at
indirect-drive machine: an electric driving machine, the the top of the runway.
motor of which is connected indirectly to the driving penetrate a floor: pass through or pierce a floor in such a
sheave, drum, gear reducer, or shaft by means of a belt way that the opening has a continuous perimeter and is
drive or chain drive. provided only to allow the equipment to pass through the
rack-and-pinion driving machine: an electric driving floor.
machine in which the motion of the platform lift or performance area: a raised, fixed platform in an assembly
stairway chairlift is obtained by power-driven rotating area used to provide clear sight lines for the audience to
see and hear activities (examples include areas used for
3
ASME A18.1-2020
entertainment, lecturers/speakers, the head table for replacement: the substitution of a device or component in
special guests, and worship services). its entirety with a new unit that is basically the same as the
piston: short cylindrical member that is provided with a original for the purpose of ensuring performance in accor-
sealing means that travels with the member within a dance with applicable Standard requirements.
hydraulic cylinder. rise: see travel.
pit: that portion of a runway extending from the sill level of rope, compensating: wire rope used to counterbalance, or
the lowest landing to the floor at the bottom of the runway. partially counterbalance, the weight of the suspension
platform: the load-carrying unit, including, but not limited ropes.
to frame, floor, enclosure, seat, and door or gate. rope, counterweight: wire rope used to raise and lower the
platform frame: a structural frame composed of intercon- counterweight on equipment having a winding drum
necting members that supports the platform. machine or a hydraulic machine equipped with a counter-
weight.
plunger (ram): a long cylindrical compression member
that is directly or indirectly coupled to the platform rope, governor: wire rope with at least one end fastened to
frame. This member is not provided with a sealing the safety activating means or governor rope releasing
means. Where used in assembly with a cylinder, the carrier, passing over and driving the governor sheave,
sealing means is provided on the cylinder head; in the and providing continuous information on the speed
case of telescopic plungers and cylinders, a sealing and direction of the platform or counterweight.
means may be used in the moving plunger that is also rope, suspension (hoisting): wire rope used to raise and
a cylinder. lower a platform lift or its counterweight, or a stairway
portable equipment: a device that is used to transport chairlift, or both.
those with mobility impairments, that is not permanently rope equalizer, suspension: a device installed on a platform
fastened in place, and is not a relocatable lift. or counterweight to equalize automatically the tensions in
position indicator: a device that indicates the position of the suspension wire ropes.
the platform in the runway. It is called a “hall position rope-fastening device, auxiliary: a device attached to the
indicator” when placed at a landing, or a “platform posi- platform or counterweight or to the overhead dead-
tion indicator” when placed in the platform. end rope-hitch support that will function automatically
private residence: a separate dwelling or a separate apart- to support the platform or counterweight in case the
ment in a multiple dwelling that is occupied only by the regular wire-rope fastening fails at the point of connection
members of a single family unit. to the platform or counterweight or at the overhead dead-
end hitch.
rated load: the load that the equipment is designed and

installed to lift at the rated speed. runby, top, direct-plunger hydraulic: the distance the plat-
form can run above its top terminal landing before the
rated load performance: the operation of the equipment plunger strikes its mechanical stop.
with its rated load at rated speed.
runway: the space in which the platform or seat moves.
rated speed: the speed at which the equipment is designed
to operate in the up direction with rated load in the plat- runway door or gate, locking device: a device that secures a
form. runway door or gate in the closed position and prevents it
from being opened from the landing side except under
recycling operation, telescopic plunger: an operation for certain specified conditions.
restoring the relative vertical positions of the multiple
plungers in a telescoping plunger arrangement. safety bulkhead: a closure at the bottom of the cylinder
located above the cylinder head and provided with an
releasing carrier, governor rope: a mechanical device to orifice for controlling the loss of fluid in the event of cyl-
which the governor rope may be fastened and calibrated inder head failure.
to control the activation of a safety at a predetermined
tripping force. safety, platform or counterweight: a mechanical device
attached to the platform frame or to an auxiliary
relocatable lift: a vertical or inclined platform lift, as frame, or to the counterweight frame, to stop and hold
defined by this Standard, that is designed to be moved the platform or counterweight under one or more of
from one location to another and is not designed to be the following conditions: predetermined overspeed,
permanently fastened in place. free fall, or if the suspension ropes slacken.
repair: the process of rehabilitation or replacement of safety, self-resetting: a platform or counterweight safety
parts that are basically the same as the original for the released and reset by movement in the up direction.
purpose of ensuring performance in accordance with
the applicable Standard requirements.
4
ASME A18.1-2020
screw column: a structural member provided with screw Type A safeties: safeties that develop a rapidly increasing
threads that supports the platform on screw driving pressure on the guide rails during the stopping interval,
machines. the stopping distance being very short due to the inherent
shall: indicates a mandatory requirement. design of the safety. The operating force is derived entirely
from the mass and the motion of the car or the counter-
should: indicates a recommendation, not a mandatory weight being stopped. These safeties apply pressure on
requirement. the guide rails through eccentrics, rollers, or similar
slack-rope switch: a device that automatically causes the devices, without any flexible medium purposely intro-
electric power to be removed from the driving-machine duced to limit the retarding force and increase the stop-
motor and brake when the suspension ropes of a winding ping distance.
drum machine become slack. valley break: a broken wire in a wire rope in which the
sleeving (liner): the insertion of a smaller diameter cylin- outside wire of a strand breaks in the immediate vicinity
der inside the existing cylinder of a hydraulic driving of the point where it contacts a wire or wires of an adjacent
machine. strand, generally at a point not visible when the wire rope
solid state device: an element that can control current flow is examined externally. One end of the broken wire is long
without moving parts. enough to reach from one valley to the next one and the
other end of the broken wire generally cannot be seen.
speed governor: a continuously operating speed moni-
toring and detection device that, at predetermined vertical platform lift: a powered hoisting and lowering
speeds, provides signals to the controller and imparts mechanism designed to transport mobility-impaired
a retarding force to activate the platform lift or counter- persons on a guided platform that travels vertically.
weight safety, or stairway chairlift. weatherproof: so constructed or protected that exposure
starter control panel: an assembly of devices by means of to the weather will not interfere with successful operation.
which the starter may control the manner in which a lift window: an assembly consisting of a surrounding frame
functions. and one or more sashes, ventilators, or fixed lights, or a
static switching: switching of circuits by means of solid combination of these, designed to be installed in a wall
state devices. opening for the purpose of admitting light or air, or both.
stop switch: see emergency stop switch. working pressure: the pressure measured at the cylinder of
a hydraulic driving machine when the platform lift or
supply piping: the piping for a hydraulic driving machine stairway chairlift is lifting its rated load at rated speed.
between the control valves and the driving member of the
driving machine. 1.4 Metric (SI) Units

terminal landing: see landing. This edition of the Standard uses hard metric (SI) units
terminal stopping device, final: a device that automatically whenever practical. The acceptable equivalent U.S.
causes the power to be removed from the driving-machine Customary units are shown in parentheses. Information
motor and brake, or from a hydraulic driving machine, on the usage of SI units and conversion to U.S. Customary
independent of the functioning of the normal terminal units is contained in IEEE/ASTM SI 10-1997, Standard for
stopping device, the operating device, or any emergency the Use of the International System of Units (SI): The
terminal speed-limiting device, after the platform lift or Modern Metric System, or ASME Guide SI-1, Orientation
stairway chairlift has passed a terminal landing. and Guide for Use of SI (Metric) Units.
terminal stopping device, machine final (stop-motion Requirements related to speed and load use the hard
switch): a final terminal stopping device operated directly metric and hard U.S. Customary units in common practice,
by the driving machine. even though they are not exactly equivalent.
terminal stopping device, normal: a device or devices to 1.5 Reference Codes, Standards, and
slow down and stop a platform lift or stairway chairlift Specifications
automatically at or near a terminal landing independently
of the functioning of the operating device. This section covers the codes, standards, and specifica-
tions incorporated in this Standard by reference; the spe-
travel (rise): the vertical distance between the bottom
cific editions that are applicable; and the rules of this
terminal landing and the top terminal landing.
Standard that reference each document (see
traveling cable: a cable made up of electric conductors that Table 1.5-1). This section also lists the names and
provides electrical connection between a platform lift or addresses of the organizations from which these docu-
stairway chairlift and a fixed outlet in the runway. ments may be procured (see Table 1.5-2).
Only the portion of the code, standard, or specification
specified by the rules in this Standard is applicable.
5
ASME A18.1-2020
ð20Þ Table 1.5-1 Reference Documents

Available
Designator Standard A18.1 References From
16 CFR Part 1201-86 Architectural Glazing Standards and Related Materials 3.6.6.3 and 6.6.4.3 U.S. GPO
ANSI Z97.1-2004 Safety Glazing Material Used in Buildings — Safety 3.6.6.3, 3.6.6.4, 6.6.4.3, and ANSI
Performance Specifications and Methods of Test 6.6.4.4
ANSI/ASSE A10.4 [Note (1)] Safety Requirements for Personnel Hoists and Employee 1.1.2 ANSI/
Elevators for Construction and Demolition Sites ASSP
ANSI/ASTM E84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of 2.6.7 ANSI
Building Materials
ICC/ANSI A117.1-2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities 3.10.1 ANSI
IEEE/ASTM SI 10-1997 American National Standard for Use 1.4 ANSI

of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern
Metric System
ASME A17.1-1997 (and later Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators 1.1.2 ASME
editions)
ASME A90.1 [Note (1)] Safety Standard for Belt Manlifts 1.1.2 ASME
ASME A120.1 [Note (1)] Safety Requirements for Powered Platforms for 1.1.2 ASME
Building Maintenance
ASME B1.20.1 [Note (1)] Pipe Threads, General Purpose, Inch 8.1.7.3 ASME
ASME B29.1 [Note (1)] Precision Power Transmission, Roller Chains, 2.3.1.5, 2.3.9.1, 3.3.1.5, 3.3.6.1, ASME
Attachments, and Sprockets 4.3.1.2, 4.3.6.1, 5.3.1.5,
5.3.9.1, 6.3.1.5, 6.3.6.1,
7.3.1.2, and 7.3.6.1
ASME SI-1 ASME Orientation and Guide for Use of SI-1 (Metric) 1.4 ASME
Units
CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5 Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment 2.1.8.2, 2.10.9.2, 3.1.6.2, ASME
[Note (1)] 3.10.9.2, 4.1.4, 4.10.3.2,

5.1.4.2, 5.10.9.2, 6.1.5.2,
6.10.6.2, 7.1.3, and 7.10.3.2
ASME QEI-1 [Note (1)] Standard for the Qualification of Elevator Inspectors 10.1.4 ASME
ASTM A307-04 Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs, 2.2.2.2, 3.2.1.1, 5.2.1.1, 6.2.1.1, ASTM
60 000 psi Tensile and 8.1.2.2
ASTM A502-03 Standard Specification for Rivets, Steel, Structural 2.2.2.3, 3.2.1.1, 5.2.1.1, and ASTM
6.2.1.1
ASTM D2412-02(2008) Standard Test Method for Determination of External 8.1.4.8 ASTM
Loading Characteristics of Plastic Pipe by Parallel-Plate
Loading
ASTM E8-04 Standard Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic 2.6.7 and 9.5.1 ASTM
Materials
AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2004 Structural Welding Code — Steel 9.1.1 and 9.1.2 AWS
AWS D1.3:1998 Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel 9.1.2 AWS
CSA B355-15 Lifts for Persons With Physical Disabilities 2.1.1.4.1 CSA
IBC-2015 International Building Code 1.3 ICC
IRC-2015 International Residential Code 1.3 ICC
6
ASME A18.1-2020
Table 1.5-1 Reference Documents (Cont’d)

Available
Designator Standard A18.1 References From
NFPA 70-2014 National Electrical Code 2.1.8.1, 2.10.9.1, 3.1.6.1, NFPA
3.10.9.1, 4.1.3, 4.10.3.1,
5.1.4.1, 5.10.9.1, 6.1.5.1,
6.10.6.1, 7.1.2, and 7.10.3.1
NFPA 99-2005 Standard for Health Care Facilities 2.11.3 NFPA
SAE AS100-1994 Fitting, Cross, Short Flareless 8.1.7.1 SAE
SAE J514-2004 Hydraulic Tube Fitting 8.1.7.2.1 SAE
SAE J517-2008 Hydraulic Hose 8.1.7.1 SAE
SAE J524-2007 Seamless Low-Carbon Steel Tubing Annealed for 8.1.7.2.1 SAE
Bending and Flaring
NOTE: (1) The latest edition of this Standard shall apply.
Table 1.5-2 Procurement Information ð20Þ
Organization Address and Phone Number Organization Address and Phone Number
ANSI American National Standards Institute CSA Canadian Standards Association
25 West 43rd Street 178 Rexdale Boulevard
New York, NY 10036 Toronto, Ontario
Telephone: (212) 642-4900 M9W 1R3, Canada
www.ansi.org Telephone: (416) 747-4044
www.csagroup.org
ASME The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Two Park Avenue ICC International Code Council
New York, NY 10016-5990 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Telephone: (800) 843-2763 Washington, DC 20001
www.asme.org Telephone: (888) 422-7233
www.iccsafe.org

ASSP The American Society of Safety Professionals
520 N. Northwest Hwy NFPA National Fire Protection Association
Park Ridge, IL 60068 1 Batterymarch Park
Telephone: 847-699-2929 Quincy, MA 02169-7471
www.assp.org Telephone: (617) 770-3000
www.nfpa.org
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM International) SAE SAE International
100 Barr Harbor Drive 400 Commonwealth Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
Telephone: (610) 832-9585 Telephone: (724) 776-4841
www.astm.org www.sae.org
AWS American Welding Society U.S. GPO Superintendent of Documents

U.S Government Publishing Office
8669 NW 36 Street, No. 130
Miami, FL 33166 732 N. Capitol Street, NW
Telephone: (800) 443-9353 Washington, DC 20401
(800) 512-1800
www.aws.org
www.gpo.gov
7
ASME A18.1-2020
2.1.1.4 All doors shall be provided with a combina-

tion mechanical lock and electric contact. Locking devices
2 VERTICAL PLATFORM LIFTS1 shall be protected against tampering from the landing
side. The locking devices may permit a door to be
Section 2 applies to vertical platform lifts installed in opened only if the platform floor is within 50 mm (2
locations other than in or at a private residence for use by in.) of the respective landing. They shall permit the plat-
the mobility impaired. form to move away from the landing under control of the
normal operating device if the door is closed but not
ð20Þ 2.1 Runways
locked, provided that the device will cause the platform
Runways shall be installed in accordance with 2.1.1 to stop if it moves away from the landing more than 50 mm
through 2.1.4, or 2.1.6. Runway construction for lifts (2 in.) before the door is locked. Doors shall withstand,
that penetrate a floor must comply with 2.1.1 and with without permanent deformation, a force of 550 N (125
the building code. Lifts conforming to 2.1.4 shall be lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
located in courtroom areas not open to the public and
2.1.1.4.1 The capability of door-locking devices to
under the supervision of court officials. Lifts conforming
function as required shall be verified by an engineering
to 2.1.6 shall be located in performance areas only.
test as described in 9.9.2. Door- and/or gate-locking
2.1.1 Runway Enclosure Provided devices that have been tested and certified to comply
with ASME A17.1/CSA B44 (including locks for private
2.1.1.1 The runway shall be guarded by a solid enclo-
residence elevators and locks tested to earlier editions
sure extending from the lowest landing to a height of at
of ASME A17.1 and CSA B44) or CSA B355 shall be consid-
least 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the uppermost landing. The
ered as meeting the requirements of this section and no
enclosure shall withstand, without permanent deforma-
further testing or markings are required. A label that shall
tion, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any 100 mm ×
include the model number and date of testing shall be
100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. The interior of the runway
attached to the locking device.
enclosure shall present a smooth surface on all sides
except where the platform enclosure walls extend to a 2.1.1.5 No hardware shall project beyond the
minimum height of 2 000 mm (79 in.) above the platform vertical line of travel of the platform, except for that
floor. required for door locks.
ð20Þ 2.1.1.2 The runway entrance shall be guarded at the 2.1.1.6 The running clearance between the entrance
upper landing by a door complying with the following: and exit sides of the platform floor and the interior of the
(a) The door shall be of unperforated construction. runway enclosures shall be not less than 10 mm (0.375 in.)
(b) The door shall be not wider than the platform plus nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).

25 mm (1 in.).
2.1.1.7 A minimum of one platform side not used for
(c) The door shall be self-closing.
entrance or exit shall be guarded by a platform enclosure
(d) The door shall be a minimum of 1 100 mm (42 in.)
wall of smooth construction to a height of at least 1 100
high.
mm (42 in.) above the platform floor with no openings
(e) The lift side of the door and sill shall present a
other than those necessary for operation. Openings nec-
smooth surface.
essary for operation shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in
(f) The lift side of the door and sill shall be located not
diameter. A grab rail extending the length of at least one
closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75
sidewall shall be provided at a height of 850 mm (34 in.) to
in.) from the access edge of the platform floor.
1 000 mm (38 in.). The running clearance between plat-
2.1.1.3 The runway entrances at all but the upper- form enclosure walls that extend less than 2 000 mm (79
most landing shall be guarded by unperforated self- in.) above the platform floor and the runway enclosure
closing doors not wider than the platform plus 25 mm walls, vertical face of the machine housing, or other
(1 in.). The openings created in the runway by these rigid surfaces shall be not less than 50 mm (2 in.). The
doors shall provide a minimum vertical clearance of 2 running clearance between platform enclosure wall(s)
000 mm (79 in.). The doors shall guard the entire area that extend a minimum of 2 000 mm (79 in.) above the
of the openings except for space necessary for operation. platform floor and runway walls or other surfaces
Space necessary for operation shall reject a ball 12 mm shall be not less than 20 mm (0.75 in.). Running clearance
(0.5 in.) in diameter. The lift side of the landing doors and between enclosure wall ends and the entrance and exit
sill shall present a smooth surface located not closer than side of the runway shall be not less than 10 mm
10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the (0.375 in.) nor more than 75 mm (3 in.).
platform floor.
2.1.1.7.1 Where the running clearance between
1 the platform enclosure wall that extends less than
See section 5 for the requirements for this equipment installed in or at
a private residence. 2 000 mm (79 in.) above the platform floor and the
8
ASME A18.1-2020
runway enclosure wall is less than 50 mm (2 in.), edge mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. The platform side of the
protection is required at the top edge of the platform landing door shall present a smooth surface located
enclosure wall. When edge protection is used, the clear- not less than 50 mm (2 in.) nor more than 75 mm (3
ance between the platform enclosure wall and vertical face in.) from the platform door. The landing doorsill shall
of the machine housing or other surfaces shall be not less be located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more
than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.). than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the platform floor.
Edge protection required shall be permitted to use
2.1.2.2 The runway entrance shall be guarded at the
mechanically operated, magnetically operated, optical,
uppermost landing by a door of unperforated construction
or static-type switches. When activated, the switch
not wider than the entrance to the platform plus 25 mm (1
shall cause the electric power to be removed from the
in.). The door shall be self-closing and at least 1 100 mm
driving-machine motor and brake, if provided. When acti-
(42 in.) high. The lift side of the door and sill shall present a
vated, the platform shall stop within 12 mm (0.5 in.) in the
smooth surface located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.)
“UP” direction only.
nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the access edge of the
2.1.1.8 If the runway enclosure extends to a platform floor.
minimum height of 2 000 mm (79 in.) above the upper
2.1.2.3 The runway entrance shall be guarded at any
landing, consists of transparent walls, is exposed to
intermediate landing by a door of unperforated construc-
direct sunlight, and is enclosed with a solid roof,
tion not wider than the entrance to the platform plus 25
forced ventilation with a minimum air-handling capacity
mm (1 in.). The door shall be self-closing and extend to a
of one air change per minute based on net inside enclosure
height of at least 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the top terminal
volume shall be provided. The ventilation shall be ther-
landing. The lift side of the door and sill shall present a
mostatically controlled. It shall be set to activate at a
smooth surface located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.)
temperature not to exceed 32°C (90°F). An auxiliary
nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the access edge of the
power source capable of providing the minimum air-hand-
platform floor.
ling capacity for 1 h shall be provided. Ventilating fans or
blowers, if used, shall be located outside the enclosure, or 2.1.2.4 The side of the platform providing access to
if inside the enclosure, provide a minimum headroom the lower landing shall be guarded by a platform door of
clearance of 2 000 mm (79 in.). unperforated construction. The door shall be self-closing
and at least 1 100 mm (42 in.) high.
2.1.2 Partial Runway Enclosure Provided
2.1.2.5 All doors shall be provided with a combina-
2.1.2.1 The area under the platform shall be fully tion mechanical lock and electric contact. Locking devices
enclosed by smooth guards, either telescoping or shall be protected against tampering from the landing
stationary, on all accessible platform sides. The guards side. The locking devices shall permit a door to be

shall withstand, without permanent deformation, a opened only if the platform floor is within 50 mm (2
force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any 100 mm by in.) of the respective landing. The platform shall be
100 mm (4 in. by 4 in.) area. The height of stationary permitted to move away from the landing under
guards, if provided, shall be at least equal to the control of the normal operating device if the door is
maximum upward travel of the platform floor plus 75 closed but not locked, provided that the device will
mm (3 in.). The running clearance between the platform cause the platform to stop if it moves more than 50
enclosure walls and any stationary guard panel, vertical mm (2 in.) away from the landing before the door is locked.
face of the machine housing, or other rigid surfaces shall
be not less than 50 mm (2 in.). Shutter-type (telescoping) 2.1.2.5.1 Door-locking devices shall comply with
guards, if provided, shall be securely fastened to the lower 2.1.1.4.1.
landing level and to the platform. Openings necessary for 2.1.2.6 The platform side of the landing doors and
operation of shutter-type (telescoping) guard panels shall sills shall present a smooth surface and shall not project
reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. beyond the vertical line of travel of the platform. No hard-
2.1.2.1.1 Where stationary guards are used, the ware shall project beyond the vertical line of travel of the
runway entrance at the lower landing shall be guarded platform, except for that required for door locks and elec-
by an unperforated self-closing door. The vertical tric contacts. The doors shall withstand, without perma-
opening created in the runway by this door shall nent deformation, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any
provide a minimum clearance of 2 000 mm (79 in.). 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
The horizontal opening created when the door is in its 2.1.2.7 A smooth vertical surface shall be provided ð20Þ
open position shall not exceed the interior width of from the top terminal landing sill and any intermediate
the runway. The door shall guard the entire area of landing sill to not less than 25 mm (1 in.) below the
the opening except for space necessary for operation. level of the platform floor on the lower mechanical
Space necessary for operation shall reject a ball 12 stop. Where a pit is provided and is less than 25 mm
9
ASME A18.1-2020
(1 in.) in depth, the surface shall extend to the pit floor. 2.1.3.2 The runway entrance shall be guarded at any
Openings necessary for operation shall reject a ball 12 mm intermediate landing by a door of unperforated construc-
(0.5 in.) in diameter. tion not wider than the entrance to the platform plus 25
The surface shall be capable of withstanding a force of mm (1 in.). The door shall be self-closing and extend to a
330 N (75 lbf) on a 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) surface height of at least 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the top terminal
and have deflection less than 20 mm (0.75 in.) in any loca- landing. The lift side of the door and sill shall present a
tion. The surface shall not be permanently deformed when smooth surface located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.)
a force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100 nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the access edge of the
mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. platform floor.
Projections from the vertical surface shall not exceed 5
2.1.3.3 A smooth vertical surface shall be provided ð20Þ
mm (0.20 in.); projections exceeding 2 mm (0.08 in.) shall
from the top terminal landing sill and any intermediate
be beveled at an angle of 15 deg or less to the line of travel.
landing sill to not less than 25 mm (1 in.) below the
The clearance between the platform edge and the landing
level of the platform floor on the lower mechanical
sill or any vertical surface of the hoistway shall be not less
stop. Where a pit is provided and is less than 25 mm
than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).
(1 in.) in depth, the surface shall extend to the pit
2.1.2.8 The platform enclosure walls on the sides not floor. Openings necessary for operation shall reject a
used for entrance or exit shall be of smooth construction to ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter.
a height of at least 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the platform The surface shall be capable of withstanding a force 330
floor with no openings, other than those necessary for N (75 lbf) on a 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) surface and
operation. Openings necessary for operation shall have deflection less than 20 mm (0.75 in.) in any location.
reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. A grab rail The surface shall not be permanently deformed when a
extending the full length of either sidewall shall be force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100
provided at a height of 850 mm (34 in.) to 1 000 mm mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
(38 in.). The running clearance between the platform Projections from the vertical surface shall not exceed 5
enclosure wall and the vertical face of the machine mm (0.20 in.); projections exceeding 2 mm (0.08 in.) shall
housing shall be not less than 50 mm (2 in.). Where an be beveled at an angle of 15 deg or less to the line of travel.
obstruction or surface less than 1 100 mm (42 in.) The clearance between the platform edge and the landing
above the top landing other than machine housing, sill or any vertical surface of the hoistway shall be not less
stationary guard panels, shutter-type (telescoping) than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).
guard panels, or sides used for entering and exiting is
2.1.3.4 The side of the platform providing access to
within 300 mm (12 in.) of the platform enclosure walls
the lower landing shall be guarded in accordance with the
and presents a pinching, shearing, or crushing hazard,
requirements of 2.1.3.4.1 or 2.1.3.4.2.

a smooth continuous surface shall be provided extending
from the lower landing to a height of not less than 1 100 2.1.3.4.1 The lower landing side of the platform
mm (42 in.) above the top landing. Where an obstruction shall be guarded by a platform door of unperforated
or surface is between 1 100 mm (42 in.) and 2 000 mm (79 construction. The door shall be self-closing, at least
in.) above the top landing, a smooth continuous surface 1 100 mm (42 in.) high, and withstand, without permanent
shall be provided extending from the lower landing to a deformation, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) on a 100 mm × 100
height of not less than 75 mm (3 in.) above the obstruction. mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
The continuous surface shall be located on the lift side of
2.1.3.4.2 The lower landing side of the platform
the obstruction not closer than 50 mm (2 in.) to the plat-
shall be guarded by a powered, retractable passenger
form enclosure walls.
restraining arm(s) conforming to the following:
2.1.3 Runway Enclosure Not Provided (a) The arm(s) shall be located above the leading edge
of the platform on the lower landing side at a height of not
2.1.3.1 The runway entrance shall be guarded at the less than 800 mm (32 in.) or greater than 1 000 mm (38
upper landing by a door of unperforated construction. The in.). Gaps between the adjacent ends of arm sections or the
door shall be self-closing, at least 1 100 mm (42 in.) high, end of arm sections and the lift sidewall shall not exceed
and withstand, without permanent deformation, a force of 100 mm (4 in.) when the arms are in their guarding posi-
550 N (125 lbf) applied on a 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 tion.
in.) area. The lift side of the door and sill shall present a (b) The arm(s) shall be of smooth construction with all
smooth surface located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.) edges rounded. They shall not be permanently deformed
nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the access edge of the when a force of 300 N (66 lbf) is applied on any point along
platform floor. the length of the arms in any direction. In addition, they
shall not be permanently deformed when a force of 1 000 N
10
ASME A18.1-2020
(225 lbf) is applied in the horizontal direction along the permitted to operate away from the obstruction. Down-
centerline of the platform. ward motion shall be permitted to resume when the
(c) Each retractable arm shall be mechanically locked obstruction is removed.
and monitored by an electric contact, which shall stop the
2.1.3.6.2 The underside of the platform shall be
movement of the platform within 50 mm (2 in.) of travel
equipped with a bellows or similar device that shall not be
away from any landing if the arm is not in its locked
permanently deformed when a force of 550 N (125 lbf) is
guarding position. Means shall be provided to manually
applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
unlock the retractable arm(s) for emergency evacuation
Deflection of the bellows due to a force of 330 N (75
purposes. The unlocking mechanism shall not be readily
lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.)
accessible to the passenger.
area shall not exceed 75 mm (3 in.) or the distance to
(d) Control shall be by means of a continuous-pressure
contact an internal moving component other than the
device. The closing speed shall not exceed 0.3 m/s (1 ft/
bellows support mechanism, whichever is less. Deflection
sec) as measured at the fastest point. The force necessary
shall be measured with the platform at the uppermost
to prevent closing of the arm(s) shall not exceed 140 N (30
landing.
lbf) as measured at the midpoint across the arm at the
(a) The upper attachment point of the bellows shall be
boarding end of the platform. The arm(s) may operate
permitted to be inset from the outer edge of the platform,
in the direction away from an obstruction.
provided that the exposed area of the underside of the
(e) A retractable ramp shall be provided in confor-
platform is equipped with a device that conforms to
mance with 2.1.8.2.
2.1.3.6.1.
2.1.3.5 The sides of the platform not used for (b) Deflection greater than that allowed by 2.1.3.6.2
entrance or exit shall be guarded by walls of smooth shall be permitted, provided that any additional deflection
construction with no openings, other than those necessary actuates a sensing device that causes the electric power to
for the operation of the lift, to a height of at least 1 100 mm be removed from the driving-machine motor and brake, if
(42 in.). Those openings necessary for operation shall provided, and causes the platform to stop its downward
reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. A grab bar motion within 50 mm (2 in.). Downward motion shall be
extending the full length of either side guard shall be permitted to resume when the bellows is returned to its
provided at a height of 850 mm (34 in.) to 1 000 mm normal condition.
(38 in.).
2.1.3.6.3 A force-sensitive safety surface shall be
The running clearance between the platform enclosure
provided covering the entire floor area directly under the
walls and the machine housing or any other rigid surface
moving platform plus 75 mm (3 in.) beyond any exposed
shall be not less than 50 mm (2 in.). Where an obstruction
platform edge. The device shall prevent downward motion
or surface less than 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the top
of the platform when activated by a force not to exceed 70

landing other than the machine housing is within 300
N (15 lbf) applied anywhere on its surface. The lift shall be
mm (12 in.) of the platform enclosure walls and presents
permitted to operate in the upward direction. Downward
a pinching, shearing, or crushing hazard, a smooth contin-
motion shall be permitted to resume when the force is
uous surface shall be provided extending from the lower
removed.
landing to a height of not less than 1 100 mm (42 in.) above
the top landing. Where an obstruction or surface is 2.1.3.7 The clearance between the platform floor and
between 1 100 mm (42 in.) and 2 000 mm (80 in.) the upper landing sill shall be not less than 10 mm (0.375
above the top landing, a smooth continuous surface in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).
shall be provided extending from the lower landing to
2.1.3.8 All doors, except as provided in 2.1.3.9, shall
a height of not less than 75 mm (3 in.) above the obstruc-
be provided with a combination mechanical lock and elec-
tion.
tric contact. Locking devices shall be protected against
2.1.3.6 The underside of the platform shall be tampering from the landing side. The locking devices
guarded in accordance with the requirements of shall permit a door to be opened only if the platform
2.1.3.6.1, 2.1.3.6.2, or 2.1.3.6.3. floor is within 50 mm (2 in.) of the respective landing.
The platform shall be permitted to move away from
the landing under control of the normal operating
equipped with a device that, if the platform is obstructed
device if the door is closed but not locked, provided
anywhere on its underside in its downward travel, shall
that the devices will cause the platform to stop if it
cause electric power to be removed from the driving-
moves away from the landing more than 50 mm (2 in.)
machine motor and brake, if provided, and cause the plat-
before the door is locked.
form to stop its downward motion within 50 mm (2 in.).
The stroke of the device shall be not less than the stopping 2.1.3.8.1 Door-locking devices shall comply with
distance of the platform. The force required to operate the 2.1.1.4.1.
device shall not exceed 70 N (15 lbf). The lift shall be
11
ASME A18.1-2020
2.1.3.9 Where the lift is installed at a location that width of the landing entrance and of a height not less than
does not have guard rails at the upper landing as allowed 150 mm (6 in.).
by building codes (see definition), the requirements of
2.1.4.3 The area under the platform shall be fully
2.1.3.1 through 2.1.3.3 shall be permitted to be omitted
enclosed by smooth guards, either telescoping or
when platform gates are provided. They shall extend
stationary, on all accessible platform sides. The guards
to a height at least equal to the top terminal landing
shall withstand, without permanent deformation, a
height plus 150 mm (6 in.) measured when the platform
force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100
is at its lowest position. The gates shall be of unperforated
mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. Shutter-type (telescoping)
construction, be self-closing, and be provided with electric
guards, if provided, shall be securely fastened to the
contacts to prevent movement of the platform if the gates
lower landing level and to the platform. Openings neces-
are not closed. The gates shall not be permanently
sary for operation of guards shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5
deformed when a force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied
in.) in diameter.
on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
2.1.4.4 A smooth vertical surface shall be provided ð20Þ
2.1.3.10 The requirements of 2.1.3.7 shall be
from the top terminal landing sill and any intermediate
permitted to be increased to 75 mm (3 in.) if a platform
landing sill to not less than 25 mm (1 in.) below the
gate complying with 2.1.3.9 and an automatically folding
level of the platform floor on the lower mechanical
ramp to service the upper landing is provided. When
stop. Where a pit is provided and is less than 25 mm
deployed, the ramp shall have a minimum overlap at
(1 in.) in depth, the surface shall extend to the pit
the upper landing sill of 50 mm (2 in.) and shall be substan-
floor. Openings necessary for operation shall reject a
tially level. It shall be provided with an electric contact,
ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter.
which will stop the movement of the platform within 150
The surface shall be capable of withstanding a force of
mm (6 in.) of travel away from the upper landing if the
330 N (75 lbf) on a 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) surface
ramp has failed to rise to its retracted position.
and have deflection less than 20 mm (0.75 in.) in any loca-
2.1.4 Courtroom Lifts tion. The surface shall not be permanently deformed when
a force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100
2.1.4.1 The runway entrance shall be guarded at the mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
uppermost landing by a door of unperforated construc- Projections from the vertical surface shall not exceed 5
tion. The door shall be self-closing or power operated, mm (0.20 in.), and projections exceeding 2 mm (0.08 in.)
at a height not less than 900 mm (36 in.), and shall with- shall be beveled at an angle of 15 deg or less to the line of
stand, without permanent deformation, a force of 550 N travel. The clearance between the platform edge and
(125 lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) landing sill or any vertical surface of the hoistway
area. The lift side of the door and sill shall present a smooth shall be not less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more

surface located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).
than 20 mm (0.75 in.) from the access edge of the platform
floor. 2.1.4.5 The runway entrance shall be guarded at the
lower landing by a door of unperforated construction. The
2.1.4.2 Intermediate landing entrances shall be door shall be self-closing or power operated, at a height
guarded in accordance with the requirements of not less than 900 mm (36 in.), and shall withstand, without
2.1.4.2.1 or 2.1.4.2.2. permanent deformation, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) on a 100
2.1.4.2.1 The runway entrance at any inter- mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. The clearance between
mediate landing entrance shall be guarded by a self- the lower landing door and platform edge shall be not less
closing or power-operated door of unperforated construc- than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75 in.).
tion not wider than the entrance to the platform plus 25 2.1.4.6 The sides of the platform not used for
mm (1 in.). The door shall be a minimum height of 150 mm entrance or exit shall be guarded by stationary runway
(6 in.) and extend to the top landing plus 75 mm (3 in.). The or platform-mounted sidewalls of solid construction
lift side of the door and sill shall present a smooth surface with no openings, other than those necessary for the
located not closer than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 operation of the lift. Those openings necessary for opera-
mm (0.75 in.) from the edge of the platform floor. tion shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. Plat-
2.1.4.2.2 Any intermediate landing entrance shall form-mounted sidewalls shall be at a height not less than
be guarded by a self-closing or power-operated guard of 900 mm (36 in.). The running clearance between a plat-
smooth, solid construction not wider than the entrance to form-mounted sidewall and stationary surfaces shall be
the platform plus 25 mm (1 in.) and of a height not less not less than 50 mm (2 in.) nor more than 75 mm (3 in.).
than 150 mm (6 in.). The side of the platform facing the Stationary runway sidewalls shall be at a height not less
intermediate landing shall be provided with a platform- than 900 mm (36 in.) above the lower landing. The clear-
mounted guard of smooth, solid construction, at least the ance between stationary runway sidewalls and the
12
ASME A18.1-2020
platform shall be not less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more The fascia shall fully guard the three fixed sides of the
than 20 mm (0.75 in.). platform.
The surface shall not be permanently deformed when a
2.1.4.7 All doors/guards shall be provided with a
force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100
combination mechanical lock and electric contact.
mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
Locking devices shall be protected against tampering
The clearance between the vertical fascia and platform
from the landing side. The locking devices shall permit
edge shall be not less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than
a door/guard to be opened only if the platform floor is
20 mm (0.75 in.).
within 50 mm (2 in.) of the respective landing. The plat-
form shall be permitted to move away from the landing 2.1.6.2 Each edge of the platform shall have an edge
under control of the normal operating device if the door/ treatment with a 6 mm ± 1 mm (0.25 in. ± 0.04 in.) rise. This
guard is closed but not locked, provided that the devices edge treatment shall have beveled edges on both sides,
will cause the platform to stop if it moves away from the and shall be an anti-slip surface of a color in contrast
landing more than 50 mm (2 in.) before the door/guard is to the platform surface.
locked.
2.1.6.3 The upper level landing shall have a distinc-
2.1.4.7.1 Door-locking devices shall comply with tive marking stripe at each edge next to the opening
2.1.1.4.1. created by the platform. Such stripe shall be not less
than 25 mm (1 in.) nor more than 50 mm (2 in.) wide.
2.1.5 Relocatable Lifts The edge treatment shall be an anti-slip surface of a
2.1.5.1 Relocatable lifts shall comply with section 2 color in contrast to the surrounding surfaces.
and with 2.1.5.2 through 2.1.5.6. The upper landing edges shall be equipped with LED
warning lights that are activated when the platform is
ð20Þ 2.1.5.2 Level Surface. A device shall be provided to away from the upper landing. The lights shall be not
prevent the lift from operating if it is out of level more than more than 150 mm (6 in.) apart and shall not present
1:20 (5%) in any direction. a tripping hazard.
2.1.5.3 Stability. When the relocatable lift is placed 2.1.6.4 A beeping or voice-audible signal shall
on an incline equal to 1:20 (5%) in any direction, the unse- operate whenever the platform is in motion and shall
cured lift shall not tip over if a horizontal force of 550 N sound 2 s before the platform begins to move. The
(125 lbf) is applied to the uppermost part of the lift in any audible signaling device shall have a rated sound pressure
direction, both with the full load centered in any of the four rating of not less than 50 dBA nor greater than 60 dBA at
quadrants of the platform floor at maximum travel height 1 500 mm (60 in.) from the platform.
and with no load.
2.1.6.5 The area under the accessible platform side

2.1.5.4 Alignment. A sign shall be securely fastened shall be fully enclosed on the lower landing access side by a
to the lift in a location conspicuous to personnel setting up smooth guard, either telescoping or stationary. The guard
the relocatable lift stating: “Align lift with the upper shall withstand, without permanent deformation, a force
landing edge per manufacturer’s instructions.” of 550 N (125 lbf ) applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in.
2.1.5.5 Electrical Connection. A disconnecting × 4 in.) area. A shutter-type (telescoping) guard, if
means in accordance with ANSI/NFPA 70 shall be provided, shall be securely fastened to the lower
provided as part of the lift. landing level and to the platform. Openings necessary
for operation of guards shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5
2.1.5.6 Wheels. Lifts that have wheels shall be oper- in.) in diameter.
able only when the wheels are removed or retracted. The
wheels shall not bear any load while the lift is in operation. 2.1.7 Pipes in Runway Vicinity. Pipes conveying steam,
gas, or liquids that, if discharged into the runway, would
ð20Þ 2.1.6 Performance Area Lifts. Performance area lifts endanger life or health shall not be permitted.
shall be permitted only where the building codes do
not require a railing at the upper level. 2.1.8 Lower Level Access Ramps and Pits. Lifts shall be
permitted to have a pit. Unenclosed pits shall not exceed
2.1.6.1 The lift platform shall be surrounded on three 100 mm (4 in.) in depth. Where a pit is not provided, a
sides by the fixed upper level landing, vertical surface(s), floor-mounted or retractable platform floor-mounted
or a wall. ramp shall be provided in accordance with 2.1.8.1 or
A smooth vertical fascia shall be provided from the top 2.1.8.2.
terminal landing sill to the level of the bottom terminal
landing sill. Intermediate landings shall not be permitted. 2.1.8.1 Ramping inclinations for floor-mounted
The vertical fascia shall be a bright, contrasting color. ramps shall be not greater than
Openings necessary for operation shall reject a ball 12 mm (a) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.)
(0.5 in.) in diameter. (b) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.)
13
ASME A18.1-2020
(c) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.) zontally from the means to unlock the egress door from the
pit.
2.1.8.2 Retractable ramps shall be automatically
Pit access by a ladder shall not be permitted when the pit
actuated to a position of 70 deg minimum from horizontal
floor is more than 3 000 mm (120 in.) below the sill of the
and shall remain in their elevated position until the plat-
access door.
form returns to the landing. When in use, the inclination of
the ramps shall be not greater than 2.1.8.5.2 A separate pit access door, when
(a) 1 in 4 for heights up to 50 mm (2 in.) provided, shall be subject to the following requirements:
(b) 1 in 6 for heights up to 65 mm (2.5 in.) (a) If the door swings into the pit, it shall be located so
(c) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.) that it does not interfere with moving equipment.
(d) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.) (b) If the door swings out, and the lowest structural or
(e) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.) mechanical part, equipment, or device installed beneath
the platform, except guide shoes or rollers or safety jaw
2.1.8.3 On lifts installed exterior to a building,
assemblies, projects below the top of the separate pit
permanent provisions shall be made to prevent accumu-
access door opening when the car is level with the
lation of water in the pit.
bottom terminal landing
2.1.8.4 Where the pit extends more than 150 mm (6 (1) an electric contact shall be provided to prevent
in.) below the sill of the lowest runway entrance door, operation of the lift when the door is open
there shall be installed within 600 mm (24 in.) of the (2) the door shall be provided with a vision panel(s)
pit floor that is glazed with clear wired glass not less than 6 mm
(a) a permanent, externally guarded lighting fixture, (0.25 in.) thick, will reject a ball 150 mm (6 in.) in diameter,
providing illumination of not less than 100 lx (10 fc) and has an area not more than 0.03 m2 (47 in.2)
at the pit floor. The light switch shall be so located as (c) The door shall provide a minimum opening of 750
to be accessible from the pit access door. mm (29.5 in.) in width and 1 825 mm (72 in.) in height.
(b) at least one 125-V, single-phase GFI duplex recep- (d) The door sill shall be not more than 300 mm (12 in.)
tacle. above the pit floor.
(e) The door shall be self-closing and provided with a
2.1.8.5 For lifts conforming to the requirements of
spring-type lock arranged to permit the door to be opened
2.1.1 or 2.1.2, access to pits shall be by means of the lowest
from the inside of the pit without a key. Such doors shall be
runway entrance door or by means of a separate pit access
kept closed and locked.
door in accordance with 2.1.8.5.1 or 2.1.8.5.2. A stop
switch meeting the requirements of 2.10.6 shall be 2.1.8.6 Where the distance from the pit floor to the
installed within the runway enclosure where it is acces- underside of the platform exceeds 2 100 mm (83 in.) with
sible from the pit access door. the platform at the lowest landing, a means shall be perma-

nently installed or permanently stored in the pit to provide
2.1.8.5.1 Where access is through the lowest
access to the equipment on the underside of the platform.
runway entrance door and the pit extends more than
900 mm (35 in.) below the sill of the lowest runway 2.1.9 Electrical Equipment and Wiring
entrance door, a fixed vertical ladder of noncombustible
material, located within reach of the access door, shall be 2.1.9.1 The installation of electrical equipment and
installed in the pit. The ladder shall extend not less than wiring shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 70.
1 200 mm (48 in.) above the sill of the access door. The 2.1.9.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the
rungs, cleats, or steps shall be a minimum of 400 mm (16 requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
in.) wide. When unavoidable obstructions are encoun-
tered, the width shall be permitted to be decreased to 2.1.10 Structural Support. The structure on which the
less than 400 mm (16 in.). The reduced width shall be equipment is installed shall be capable of safely
as wide as the available space permits, but not less supporting the loads imposed.
than 225 mm (9 in.). The rungs, cleats, or steps shall 2.1.11 Headroom Clearance. Headroom clearance
be spaced 300 mm (12 in.) on center. A clear distance throughout the range of travel shall be not less than
of not less than 180 mm (7 in.) from the centerline of 2 000 mm (79 in.) as measured vertically from the plat-
the rungs, cleats, or steps to the nearest permanent form floor.
object in back of the ladder shall be provided. When
unavoidable obstructions are encountered, the distance 2.2 Guide Rails
shall be permitted to be reduced to 115 mm (4.5 in.).
Side rails, if provided, shall have a clear distance of not Guide rails shall conform to the requirements of 2.2.1
less than 115 mm (4.5 in.) from their centerline to the through 2.2.7. Where tee rails are provided, they shall also
nearest permanent object. The nearest point of the conform to the requirements of 2.2.8 and 2.2.9. Rail joints
ladder shall be within 1 000 mm (39 in.), measured hori- shall be designed to maintain the accuracy of the rail
14
ASME A18.1-2020
alignment and to withstand the stress and deflection from the guide rails if either the platform or counterweight
limitations stipulated in 2.2.4. reaches its extreme limit of travel.
2.2.1 Material. Guide rails, guide-rail brackets, rail 2.2.7 Design and Strength of Brackets and Supports.2
clips, fishplates, and their fastenings shall be of steel The building construction forming the supports for the
or other metals conforming to the requirements of 2.2. guide rails, and the guide-rail brackets, shall be designed
Where steel may present an accident hazard, as in chem- to safely withstand the application of the platform or coun-
ical or explosive plants, guide rails shall be permitted to be terweight safety when stopping the platform and its rated
of selected wood or other suitable nonmetallic materials. load or the counterweight; and shall withstand the forces
specified in 2.2.4.2 within the deflection limits specified.
2.2.2 Requirements for Steel, Where Used Where necessary, the building construction shall be
2.2.2.1 Rails, brackets, fishplates, and rail clips shall reinforced to provide adequate support for the guide rails.
be made of open-hearth steel or its equivalent having a 2.2.8 Bracket Fastenings. Guide-rail brackets shall be
tensile strength of not less than 380 MPa (55,000 psi) and secured to their supporting structure by means of bolts or
having an elongation of not less than 22% in a length of 50 rivets, or by welding. Fastening bolts and bolt holes in
mm (2 in.). brackets and their supporting beams shall conform to
2.2.2.2 Bolts shall conform to ASTM A307. the requirements of 2.2.9. Welding, where used, shall
conform to the requirements of 9.1.
2.2.2.3 Rivets shall conform to ASTM A502.
2.2.9 Fastening of Guide Rails to Rail Brackets. Guide
2.2.3 Requirements for Metals Other Than Steel. rails shall be secured to their brackets by clips, welds, or
Metals other than steel shall be permitted to be used, bolts. Bolts used for fastening shall be of such strength as
provided the factor of safety is not less than, and the to withstand the forces specified in 2.2.4.2 and 2.2.7.
deflections are not more than, the values specified in Welding, where used, shall conform to the requirements
this section, and provided that cast iron is not used. of 9.1.
2.2.4 Stresses and Deflections 2.3 Driving Means and Sheaves
2.2.4.1 Guide Rails. For steels conforming to the re- The driving means shall be one of the following:
quirements of 2.2.2, the stresses in a guide rail or in the rail (a) winding drum
and its reinforcement, due to the horizontal forces (b) traction
imposed on the rail during loading, unloading, or (c) roped sprocket
running, calculated without impact, shall not exceed (d) chain sprocket
100 MPa (15,000 psi), and the deflection shall not (e) screw

exceed 6 mm (0.25 in.). (f) rack and pinion
Where steels of greater strength than those specified in (g) direct-plunger hydraulic
2.2.2 are used, the stresses specified shall be permitted to (h) roped-hydraulic
be increased proportionately based on the ratio of the ulti- (i) lever hydraulic
mate strengths. (j) lever screw
2.2.4.2 Brackets, Fastenings, and Supports. The (k) friction
guide-rail brackets, their fastenings, and supports, such Driving means using a combination of two or more
as building beams and walls, shall be capable of resisting means shall conform to all applicable requirements of
the horizontal forces imposed by rated load with a total the respective means unless stated otherwise.
deflection to the point of support not in excess of 3 mm 2.3.1 General Requirements
(0.125 in.).
2.3.1.1 The factor of safety, based on the static load
2.2.5 Guide-Rail Surfaces. Guide-rail surfaces used for (the rated load plus the weight of the platform, ropes,
guiding a platform or counterweight shall be sufficiently counterweights, etc.), to be used in the design of
smooth and true to operate properly with the guiding driving machines and sheaves, including fasteners trans-
members. Those surfaces that the platform or counter- mitting load, shall be not less than 8 for steel, bronze, or
weight safeties engage shall be smooth and true within other metals having an elongation of less than 14% in a
the tolerances required to ensure proper safety applica- length of 50 mm (2 in.) or 10 for cast iron or other metals
tion without excessive retardation or excessive out-of- having an elongation of less than 14% in a length of 50 mm
level platform floor conditions resulting.
2.2.6 Overall Length of Guide Rails. The platform and 2
Runway enclosure walls of brick, terra cotta, and similar materials,
counterweight guide rails shall extend at the top and used in buildings of steel and concrete construction, are usually insuffi-
bottom to prevent the guiding members from disengaging cient in strength to form, by themselves, adequate supports for the guide
rails.
15
ASME A18.1-2020
(2 in.). Other factors of safety for specific driving means 2.3.5 Machine Framework and Base. The machine
are further specified in section 8. framework, base, and fastenings to the buildings,
where used, shall be of metal construction, have a
2.3.1.2 Set screws or threaded portions located in
factor of safety of not less than 5 based on the rated
the shear plane of bolts and screws shall not be used
load, and shall be secured in place with support provided
to transmit load.
to limit their deflections to 6 mm (0.25 in.) maximum in
Means shall be provided to ensure that there is no rela-
any direction under rated load. Cast iron shall not be used.
tive motion between rigidly joined components transmit-
ting load. 2.3.6 Guarding of Guiding Members. The guiding
Where flexible couplings are used to transmit load, members shall be guarded to prevent accidental
means shall be provided to prevent disengagement of contact. Any opening necessary in guards for operation
the coupling components in the event of failure or exces- shall reject a ball 20 mm (0.75 in.) in diameter.
sive motion in the flexible connection.
A fillet shall be provided at any point of change in the 2.3.7 Machinery Beams and Supports
diameter of driving-machine shafts and sheave shafts to 2.3.7.1 All machinery and sheaves shall be supported
prevent excessive stress concentrations in the shafts. and secured to prevent any part becoming loose or
Shafts that support drums, sheaves, gears, couplings, displaced. Beams directly supporting machinery shall
and other members, and which transmit torque, shall be of steel or reinforced concrete.
be provided with tight-fitting keys.
2.3.7.2 Overhead beams and sheaves shall be
2.3.1.3 Friction gearing, clutch mechanisms, or designed for not less than the total load on overhead
couplings shall not be used to connect a driving- beams, which shall be assumed to be equal to the
machine drum or sheave to the main driving mechanism. weight of all apparatus resting on the beams plus
2.3.1.4 Worm gearing having cast iron teeth shall not twice the maximum load suspended from the beams.
be used on the driving machine. The load resting on the beams shall include the complete
weights of the driving machine, sheaves, controller, etc.
2.3.1.5 Driving-machine chains and sprockets shall The load suspended from the beams shall include the
be of steel and shall conform in design and dimensions to sum of the tensions in all ropes suspended from the beams.
the requirements of ASME B29.1.
2.3.7.3 The driving machine or sheaves, except idlers
2.3.1.6 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead or deflecting sheaves with their guards and frames, shall
sheaves, and deflecting sheaves used with suspension and not be fastened to the underside of the supporting beams
compensating ropes shall be of metal, shall be provided at the top of the runway.
with finished grooves for ropes, or shall be permitted to be
2.3.7.4 Cast iron in tension shall not be used for

lined with nonmetallic groove material, and have a pitch
diameter of not less than 30 times the diameter of the supporting members for sheaves where they are hung
suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel rope or 7 × 19 beneath beams.
steel aircraft cable is used, the pitch diameter of the 2.3.8 Guarding of Driving Machines and Suspension ð20Þ
drums and sheaves shall be permitted to be reduced to Means. The driving machine and suspension means shall
21 times the diameter of the rope or cable. be guarded to prevent accidental contact. Any opening
Where the grooves are used to transmit power, suffi- required for operation shall reject a ball 20 mm (0.75
cient traction shall be provided between the rope and in.) in diameter. Access shall be provided for inspecting
groove, and in the event of nonmetallic lining failure, and servicing. Any guard(s) required to be removed for
between the rope and the remaining sheave groove, to inspecting and servicing shall be secured in place using
safely stop and hold the platform with 125% of the tamper-resistant fasteners or other tamper-resistant
rated load. means.
2.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger 2.3.9 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive
hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform machines, using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or
to the requirements of 8.1, except 8.1.2. Roped-hydraulic drive chains, shall conform to the requirements of
and chain-hydraulic machines shall also conform to the 2.3.9.1 through 2.3.9.3, except that the requirements of
requirements of 8.1 except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, and 8.1.4.3. 2.3.9.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self-
2.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used, locking drive meeting the requirements of 2.4.3 is
shall conform to 8.2. provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they
shall be preloaded and matched for length in sets.
2.3.4 Friction Machines. Friction machines, where
used, shall conform to 8.3. 2.3.9.1 General Requirements. Belt sets shall be
selected on the basis of the manufacturer’s rated breaking
strength and a factor of safety of 10. Chain and sprocket
16
ASME A18.1-2020
sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set (a) steel or iron wire rope
forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME (b) steel aircraft cable
B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are (c) chain
not permitted. (d) hydraulic
Sprockets in a chain-drive set and also a driven set shall (e) rack and pinion
be assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line (f) screw
after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all (g) friction machine guides and rollers
chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed (h) lever
in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt Suspension and support means using a combination of
in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain two or more means shall conform to all applicable require-
sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the ments of the respective means unless stated otherwise.
platform, which is the full load in the platform at rest and at
2.5.1.2 Steel tapes or welded link chains shall not be
a position in the runway that creates the greatest load,
used as suspension means.
including either the platform or counterweight resting
on its buffer. 2.5.1.3 Where ropes or chains are used, no fewer
Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect than two shall be provided.
against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects
2.5.1.4 For rated loads up to 230 kg (500 lb), ropes
from interfering with drives.
shall have a minimum diameter of 6 mm (0.25 in.) and
2.3.9.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or chains shall have a minimum pitch of 12 mm (0.5 in.).
chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken For higher rated loads, ropes shall have a minimum
belt or chain device that shall function to automatically diameter of 10 mm (0.375 in.) and chains shall have a
interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if minimum pitch of 15 mm (0.625 in.).
any belt or chain in the set breaks or becomes excessively
2.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support
slack. The driving machine brake shall be located on the
means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based
traction sheave or drum assembly side of the driving
on the tension or forces exerted on the suspension and
machine so as to be fully effective if the entire belt set
support means when raising the rated load. When the plat-
or chain set should break.
form and counterweight are suspended by steel ropes and
2.3.9.3 Replacement of Belts or Chains. If one belt or the driving means between the machine and the counter-
chain of a set is worn, stretched, or damaged so as to weight is an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety
require replacement, the entire set shall be replaced. of such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated
Sprockets and toothed sheaves shall also be replaced if load. See section 8 for special requirements for particular
worn. drive systems.

2.4 Driving-Machine Brakes 2.5.3 Arc of Contact of Suspension Means on Sheaves
and Sprockets. The arc of contact of a wire rope on a trac-
2.4.1 Driving machines, except hydraulic, shall be tion sheave shall be sufficient to produce adequate trac-
equipped with friction brakes directly attached to the tion under all load conditions. The arc of contact of a chain
driving means through a continuous shaft, mechanical on a driving sprocket shall be not less than 140 deg.
coupling, or toothed gearing applied by springs, or by
gravity, and released electrically. 2.5.4 Spare Rope Turns on Winding Drums. All wire
ropes of winding drum machines shall have not less than
2.4.2 A single ground or short circuit, a counter one full turn of the rope on the drum when the platform or
voltage, or a motor-field discharge shall not prevent counterweight has reached its limit of possible overtravel.
the brake magnet from allowing the brake to set when
the operating device is placed in the stop position. 2.5.5 Securing Suspension Ropes to Winding Drums.
The drum ends of wire ropes shall be secured on the inside
2.4.3 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking of the drum of winding drum machines by clamps or by
drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing tapered babbitted sockets, or by other means approved by
that will stop and hold the platform with the rated load the authority having jurisdiction.
within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power is
removed is provided. 2.5.6 Lengthening, Splicing, Repairing, or Replacing
Suspension Means. Suspension ropes shall not be length-
2.5 Suspension and Support Means ened or repaired by splicing. Broken or worn suspension
chains shall not be repaired. If one rope or chain of a set is
2.5.1 General Requirements worn or damaged and requires replacement, the entire set
2.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one of ropes or chains shall be replaced. If a chain or sprocket is
or more of the following:
17
ASME A18.1-2020
replaced due to wear, all chains and sprockets shall be 2.6.5 Floor Area. The inside net floor area of lifts ð20Þ
replaced. conforming to 2.1.1 through 2.1.3 and 2.1.6 shall not
exceed 1.7 m2 (18 ft2). The inside net floor area of lifts
2.5.7 Fastening of Rope Suspension Means to Plat-
conforming to 2.1.4 shall not exceed 2.3 m2 (25 ft2).
form. The platform ends of wire ropes shall be fastened
in a return loop by properly made individual tapered 2.6.6 Illumination
babbitted sockets or properly attached fittings as recom-
mended by wire rope manufacturers. Clips of the U-bolt 2.6.6.1 At the threshold of the floor, with the landing
type shall not be used. Tapered babbitted rope sockets and door open, the minimum illumination shall be not less than
the method of babbitting shall conform to the require- 50 lx (5 fc).
ments of 9.8. 2.6.6.2 During operation, the minimum illumination
2.5.8 Guarding. All suspension means shall be guarded on the floor and controls shall be not less than 50 lx (5 fc).
against accidental contact. Suspension means that operate 2.6.6.3 An auxiliary illumination source to provide
within a guide or track and travel at the same speed and in general illumination of not less than 2.2 lx (0.2 fc) on the
the same direction as the platform shall be considered floor and controls shall be provided.
suitably guarded. The auxiliary system shall be automatically activated
when normal illumination power fails and shall be
2.6 Platforms capable of maintaining the above illumination intensity
2.6.1 Frame and Floor. The frame shall be of metal for a period of not less than 4 h and shall use no
construction and have a factor of safety of not less fewer than two lamps of approximately equal wattage.
than 5 based on the rated load. The floor shall be of 2.6.7 Protection of Platforms Against Fire. For lifts
metal or wood construction with a nonskid surface. that penetrate a floor, and when fire-resistive runway
ð20Þ 2.6.2 Securing of Enclosures. Enclosures are required enclosure construction is required by the building
on all platforms, except for lifts complying with 2.1.6. The code, the platform enclosure, which includes the walls,
enclosure shall be securely fastened to the floor and top, and floor, shall be protected against fire. Where
supported so that it cannot loosen or become displaced the materials used for the platform enclosure do not
in ordinary service, on the application of the platform have a flame spread rating less than 75, the platform enclo-
safety, or on buffer engagement. The enclosure shall be sure shall be protected against fire by one of the following
constructed so that removable portions cannot be methods:
dismantled from within the platform. (a) covering with sheet steel a minimum of 0.4 mm
Enclosure linings, decorative panels, light fixtures, and (0.0164 in.) in thickness or with equally fire-retardant
other apparatus or equipment attached to the enclosure material.

shall be securely fastened and supported so that they will (b) painting with an approved fire-retardant paint
not loosen or become displaced in ordinary service, on having a flame spread rating of not over 75, applied in
platform safety application, or on buffer engagement. accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
Panels attached to the enclosure for decorative or other Such ratings shall be based on the test procedure specified
purposes shall not be unfastened from inside the platform in ASTM E8.
by the use of common tools. Panels with perforations that A pictograph as shown in Figure 2.6.7 should be posted
would reject a ball greater than 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter over each platform lift corridor call station. The picto-
shall be removed from inside the platform. The enclosure graph is 125 mm (5 in.) wide and 200 mm (8 in.) high.
used for panel hanging or support shall have permanent 2.6.7.1 Grab rails, operating devices, signal fixtures,
means to prevent straight-through passage beyond the and audio and visual communication devices and their
running clearance. housings are not required to conform to 2.6.7.
ð20Þ 2.6.3 Strength and Deflection of Enclosure Walls. The 2.6.8 A full passenger enclosure shall not be permitted.
enclosure walls shall be designed and installed to with-
stand a force of 330 N (75 lbf) applied horizontally at any 2.6.8.1 Platforms shall be permitted to have a top,
point on the walls of the enclosure without permanent provided the top is non-load-bearing and marked to indi-
deformation or causing the deflection to exceed 25 cate it cannot sustain a load.
mm (1 in.). 2.6.9 Glass in Platform Enclosures and in Runway ð20Þ
2.6.4 Use of Cast Iron. Cast iron shall not be used in the Enclosures. Glass shall be permitted to be used subject
construction of any load-bearing member of the platform to the requirements of 2.6.9.1 through 2.6.9.4.
frame or floor other than for guide shoes and guide shoe 2.6.9.1 Glass shall be installed and guarded to
brackets. provide adequate protection for passengers in case the
glass panels break or are dislodged.
18
ASME A18.1-2020
Figure 2.6.7 Platform Lift Corridor Call Station Pictograph
In Case Of Fire
Do Not Use Lift
WHITE
BLACK

RED
2.6.9.2 Glass shall be mounted in the structure so 2.7 Capacity, Speed, and Travel
that the structure, including the glass in place, shall with-
stand the required lift tests without damage. 2.7.1 Limitation of Load, Speed, and Travel. The rated ð20Þ
load shall be not less than 250 kg (550 lb) nor more than
2.6.9.3 Glass shall be laminated glass as defined by 475 kg (1,050 lb). Platforms with a floor greater than 1.4
ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.2 or be m2 (15 ft2) shall have a rated load of not less than 340 kg
glass bonded to a nonpolymeric coating, sheeting, or (750 lb). Platforms with a floor greater than 1.7 m2 (18 ft2)
film backing having the physical integrity to hold the frag- shall have a rated load of not less than 475 kg (1,050 lb).
ments if the glass breaks. Glass shall be tested and conform The lift shall be capable of sustaining and lowering a load
to the acceptance criteria for laminated glass as specified as specified in Figure 9.7. The rated speed shall not exceed
in ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.4. The 0.15 m/s (30 ft/min). The rated speed of lifts conforming
glass shall be marked as required by ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, to 2.1.6 shall not exceed 0.05 m/s (10 ft/min). Travel of
Part 1201, Section 1201.5. lifts conforming to 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 shall not exceed 4 250
2.6.9.4 Markings as specified in 2.6.9.3 shall be on mm (168 in.). Travel of lifts conforming to 2.1.3 or shall not
each separate piece of glass, and shall remain visible after exceed 1 500 mm (60 in.). Travel of lifts conforming to
installation. 2.1.4 shall not exceed 600 mm (24 in.). Travel of lifts
conforming to 2.1.6 shall not exceed 375 mm (15 in.).
19
ASME A18.1-2020
2.7.2 Capacity Plates. A capacity plate stating the 15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded
rated load shall be provided by the manufacturer and parts shall be stress relieved.
fastened in a conspicuous place. The letters and numerals
2.8.2.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the
used shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
operation of platform or counterweight safeties. Where
2.7.3 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the used, and where partially loaded prior to safety operation,
manufacturer and securely fastened to the machine. The the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber stress
plate shall state the rated speed, rated load, weight of plat- exceeding one-half the elastic limit of the material. During
form, suspension and support means, date of manufacture, operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall not exceed
and manufacturer’s name. Letters and numerals shall be 85% of the elastic limit of the material. Helical springs,
not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height. where used, shall be in compression.
2.7.4 Restriction Sign. A sign shall be securely fastened 2.8.2.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and
in a conspicuous place at each landing and on the platform. their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be
The sign shall state “No Freight” in letters not less than 6 permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals,
mm (0.25 in.) high and shall include the international provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less
symbol of accessibility. than 10.
2.8 Safeties and Speed Governors 2.8.2.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to
the governor rope, including rope wound on the safety-
All platforms shall be provided with a safety, except as rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) in
permitted in 2.8.8. The safety shall be actuated by the diameter and shall be made of a corrosion-resistant
action of a speed governor or by the breakage or slack- metal. The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less
ening of the suspension or support means. Where actua- than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be used.
tion is by a governor, the safety shall be set at a maximum
speed of 0.4 m/s (75 ft/min). Where actuation is by 2.8.2.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the
breakage or slackening of the suspension or support maximum stresses developed in the parts during the
means, the safety shall be set without delay, and indepen- operation of the safety when stopping rated load from
dent of the speed governor, if provided. governor tripping speed.
Safety parts shall conform to the requirements of 2.8.2 2.8.2.6 Safety-rope leading-sheave brackets and
and 2.8.3. Where hoisting ropes are used, the application other safety operating parts shall not be attached to or
of safeties shall conform to the requirements of 2.8.4. supported by wood members.
The application and release of safeties shall conform to
the requirements of 2.8.5 through 2.8.7. 2.8.3 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes,
where provided, shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phos-

2.8.1 Screw Drive Machines. When screw drive phor bronze, or stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-
machines are used, safeties and speed governors lay construction, and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in
conforming to 2.8.1 shall be permitted. diameter. The factor of safety of governor ropes shall
2.8.1.1 The down speed of the platform shall be be not less than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be
limited, with rated load to not exceed 0.9 m/s (175 used.
ft/min) in the event of failure of the driving means. 2.8.4 Type A (Instantaneous) Safeties. On the parting
2.8.1.2 The fall of the platform in the event of failure of the hoisting ropes (free fall), Type A governor-operated
of the driving nut shall be limited to a distance not safeties, where provided, shall apply without appreciable
exceeding 12 mm (0.5 in.), by using a safety nut or delay, and their application shall be independent of the
other equivalent means. speed action of the governor and of the location of the
break in the hoisting ropes (inertia application), and
2.8.1.3 The capability of the alternate safety devices shall be permitted to be accomplished by the use of a
described in 2.8.1.1 and 2.8.1.2 to function as required governor and governor rigging having a sufficiently
shall be verified by engineering tests as described in 9.6. high value of inertia to apply the safety on free fall inde-
pendently of the speed action of the governor.
2.8.2 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of
Safety Parts and Rope Connections 2.8.5 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied
mechanically. Electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices
2.8.2.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope shall not be used to apply the safeties required by
drums, leading sheaves, and their supporting brackets and section 2, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted posi-
safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than tion.
3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the
materials used shall have an elongation of not less than
20
ASME A18.1-2020
ð20Þ 2.8.6 Level of Platform Floor on Safety Application. 2.9.4 Final terminal stopping device switch contacts
The application of a Type A safety to stop the platform, shall be directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that
with its rated load centered on each quarter of the floor depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination thereof, to
symmetrically with relation to the centerline of the floor, open the contacts shall not be used.
shall not cause the floor to be out of level more than 30
2.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not ð20Þ
mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direction.
control the same controller switches as the normal stop-
2.8.7 Release. When platform safeties are applied, no ping device unless two or more separate and independent
decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of the switches are provided, two of which shall be closed to
platform in the down direction shall release the safeties, complete the driving-machine motor-and-brake circuit
but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by the in either direction of travel. Where a two- or three-
motion of the platform in the up direction. phase alternating-current driving-machine motor is
used, these switches shall be of the multipole type.
2.8.8 Platform Safety Exceptions. Platform safeties
The control shall be so designed and installed that a
are not required for lifts with the following driving means:
single ground or short circuit shall be permitted to
(a) direct-plunger hydraulic
prevent either, but not prevent both, of the normal or
(b) other drives that do not use a flexible suspension
final stopping device circuits from stopping the platform.
means, provided that the failure of a single drive compo-
nent cannot result in the platform overspeeding or the 2.9.6 Final terminal stopping devices are not required
floor going out of level more than 30 mm/m (0.375 for direct-plunger or roped-hydraulic driving machines.
in./ft) in any direction, and said failure would cause Lower final terminal stopping devices are not required
the platform to stop by application of a safety switch where the limitations of the machine or runway limit
or equivalent means. the travel of the platform (e.g., a platform at rest on
the bottom terminal landing).
2.9 Terminal Stopping Devices
2.9.7 A lower normal terminal stopping device is not
2.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by required for direct-plunger driving machines where the
2.9.2 shall use mechanically operated, magnetically oper- platform rests on a physical stop at the bottom terminal
ated, optical, or static-type switches. landing and where the platform floor stops within a toler-
Final terminal stopping devices required by 2.9.3 shall ance of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the lower landing under rated
use only mechanically operated switches. loading to zero loading conditions.
Terminal stopping devices that are located on the plat-
form or in the runway shall be of the enclosed type and 2.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment
securely mounted in such a manner so that horizontal
2.10.1 Operation. Operation of the lift from the land- ð20Þ

movement of the platform shall not affect the operation
ings and from the platform shall be controlled by control
of the device.
switches at all stations, and shall be by means of the
2.9.2 Except as specified in 2.9.7, normal stopping continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be permanently
devices operated by the platform shall be provided, accessible 1 220 mm (48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15
and shall be set to stop the platform floor within a toler- in.) minimum above the platform floor or facility floor or
ance of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the landings under rated loading ground level. Operating devices shall be designed so that
to zero loading conditions. The normal stopping devices both the “UP” and “DOWN” circuits cannot be operated at
shall be permitted to also serve as the upper and lower the same time.
terminal stopping devices.
2.10.2 Attendant Operation
2.9.3 Upper and lower final terminal stopping devices
operated by the platform shall be provided to remove 2.10.2.1 Where applicable, and where approved by
power from the motor and brake if provided, except as the authority having jurisdiction, the lift shall be permitted
specified in 2.9.6. They shall be set to stop the platform to be attendant operated. The attendant shall be
after it travels past the normal terminal stopping device summoned by means of a clearly labeled attendant-call
and before striking an obstruction. A slack-rope device device located at each landing.
equipped with a slack-rope switch of the enclosed manu- 2.10.2.2 The attendant shall operate the platform by
ally reset type, which shall cause the electric power to be means of a continuous-pressure switch so located that the
removed from the driving-machine motor and brake, if attendant has full view of the floor area under the platform
provided, if any hoisting rope becomes slack, shall be and full view of the platform throughout its travel. A manu-
permitted as the lower final terminal stopping device. ally reset emergency stop switch shall also be provided at
that location.
21
ASME A18.1-2020
2.10.2.3 No controls, other than an emergency stop 2.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for
switch, shall be provided in the platform. Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines.
Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
2.10.3 Control and Operating Circuit Requirements.
shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually
The design and installation of the control and operating
reset type that will remove power from the motor and
circuits shall conform to 2.10.3.1 through 2.10.3.3.
brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
2.10.3.1 Control systems that depend on the comple- the suspension ropes slacken. Lifts with roller-chain
tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used suspension means shall be provided with a slack-chain
for interruption of the power and application of the device that will remove power from the motor and
machine brake at terminal landings, or for stopping brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
the machine when the safety applies. the suspension means slacken. This device is not required
to be of the manually reset type if the chain sprockets are
2.10.3.2 If springs are used to actuate switches,
guarded to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged
contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift
from the sprockets.
at the terminal landings, they shall be of the restrained
compression type. 2.10.8 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electrically
2.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper-
released until power has been applied to the driving-
ated switch, relay, or contactor to release in the intended
machine motor. All power feed lines to the brake shall
manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate
be opened and the brake shall apply automatically
as intended, or the occurrence of a single accidental
when any operating device in 2.10.1 or 2.10.2 is in the
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not
stop position, and when any electrical protective
permit the lift to start if this failure renders ineffective
device functions.
any electrical protective device.
2.10.4 Motor Reversal Protection. Where a non- 2.10.9 Electrical Equipment and Wiring
instantaneous reversible motor is used, a protective 2.10.9.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall
circuit or device shall be provided to prevent the conform to the requirements of NFPA 70.
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever-
sing control is activated. 2.10.9.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the
requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
2.10.5 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Lifts
having polyphase alternating-current power supply 2.10.10 Emergency Operations. Means shall be ð20Þ
shall be provided with means to prevent the starting provided to raise or lower the platform manually. This
of the lift motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direc- means shall only be accessible to lift personnel, emergency

tion, or if there is a failure of any phase. personnel, or authorized personnel. The means to raise or
This protection shall be considered to be provided if a lower the platform shall be capable of moving the platform
reversal of phase of the incoming polyphase alternating- to a landing and of being accessed and operated without
current power will not cause the lift driving-machine working directly above the platform.
motor to operate in the wrong direction. 2.10.10.1 The means to manually raise or lower the
2.10.6 Emergency Stop Switch. An emergency stop lift shall provide for controlled ascent or descent not faster
switch shall be provided on the platform and located than the rated speed and shall be permitted to override
in or adjacent to each platform operating panel. When operating devices and control equipment. The means shall
opened, this switch shall cause the electric power to be permitted to be
be removed from the driving-machine motor and (a) an independent battery-operated system to manu-
brake if provided. ally raise or lower the lift
Emergency stop switches shall be of the manually (b) a manual pump, lowering valve, or cable release
opened and closed type and have red operating device where a hydraulic drive system is used, or
handles or buttons. (c) other suitable means
They shall be conspicuously and permanently marked 2.10.10.2 If an opening in the runway is required to
“STOP” and indicate the “STOP” and “RUN” positions. access the means to manually raise or lower the platform,
Switches shall be positively opened mechanically and it shall be
their opening shall not be solely dependent on springs. (a) located to permit the required access.
An emergency stop switch shall not be provided on any (b) a maximum width of 300 mm (12 in.) and a
landing control, except as required by 2.10.2.2. maximum height of 300 mm (12 in.). The opening size
shall be permitted to be increased, provided that any
resultant opening into the runway shall reject a 300
mm (12 in.) ball.
22
ASME A18.1-2020
(c) provided with a door that shall be kept closed and 2.12.2 Operation. The standby power system shall be
locked. Keys to unlock the access door to the lift runway capable of cycling the lift under full load for five cycles
shall be available only to lift personnel, emergency per- minimum after building power is removed.
sonnel, or other authorized personnel.
2.12.3 Transfer. The transfer between the normal and
(d) attached so that it cannot fall when opened and shall
standby power systems shall be automatic.
not open into the runway.
(e) monitored so that the lift cannot be put back into 2.13 Code Data Plate
normal operation without being in its closed and locked
position. A data plate shall be provided that indicates the A18.1
Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The data
2.11 Emergency Signals plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the
main line disconnect or on the controller. The data
Emergency signals shall comply with 2.11.1 through
plate shall be of such material and construction that
2.11.3.
the letters and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise
ð20Þ 2.11.1 The platform shall be provided with an audible applied to the face shall remain permanently and readily
signaling device that is located outside the platform area, legible. The height of the letters and figures shall be not
but adjacent to the lift. The audible signaling device shall less than 3 mm (0.125 in.).
be operable from the emergency stop switch that is also
marked with "ALARM" or from a separate switch marked 3 INCLINED PLATFORM LIFTS3
"ALARM" that is located in or adjacent to each platform
operating panel. The switch marked “ALARM” shall illu- Section 3 applies to inclined platform lifts installed in
minate when actuated. The signaling device shall be locations other than in or at a private residence for use by
audible outside the platform and outside the runway. the mobility impaired.
The audible signaling device shall have a rated sound pres-
3.1 Runways
sure rating of not less than 70 dBA nor greater than 80 dBA
at 3 000 mm (120 in.) and respond without delay after the 3.1.1 Means of Egress. Lifts shall be installed so that the
switch has been activated. means of egress is maintained as required by the authority
having jurisdiction.
ð20Þ 2.11.2 Where the lift is installed in a location of a
building that is not normally occupied when the site is 3.1.2 Clearances. Clearances between the platform
in use, the lift shall be provided with a means of two- and adjacent surfaces shall be not less than 20 mm
way conversation (telephone, intercom, etc.) between (0.75 in.). At no point in its travel shall the edge of the
the platform and a readily accessible point outside the platform floor facing the uppermost landing be more

runway that is available to building or emergency person- than 600 mm (24 in.) above a step or landing as measured
nel. vertically.
2.11.3 If the audible signaling device(s), or the means 3.1.2.1 Headroom clearance where the platform is
of two-way conversation, or both, are normally connected positioned for boarding shall be not less than 2 000
to the building power supply, they shall automatically mm (79 in.) as measured vertically from all points on
transfer to a source of standby or emergency power as the surface of the platform floor.
required by the applicable building code or, where appli-
3.1.2.2 Headroom clearance during travel shall be
cable, NFPA 99 after the normal power supply fails. The
not less than 1 500 mm (60 in.) as measured vertically
power source shall be capable of providing for the opera-
from any point on the surface of the platform floor.
tion of the audible signaling device and illumination of the
alarm switch for at least 1 h, and the means of two-way 3.1.2.3 If the headroom is less than 2 000 mm (79 in.)
conversation for at least 4 h. measured from all points on the platform floor surface
throughout its travel, a caution sign shall be provided.
ð20Þ 2.12 Standby Emergency Power The caution sign shall contain the words “CAUTION.
Lifts shall be permitted to have standby emergency LOW OVERHEAD” and “SEAT AND SEATBELT PROVIDED.”
power to raise or lower the lift in the event of a main The caution sign shall be securely fastened in a conspic-
power failure. Where standby emergency power is uous place. Letters shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.)
required by the building code, it shall comply with high.
2.12.1 through 2.12.3.
2.12.1 Standby Power Source. The lift shall be powered
by a standby power system from the building or from a
rechargeable battery power system. 3
a private residence.
23
ASME A18.1-2020
3.1.3 Pipes in Runway Vicinity. Pipes conveying steam, true within the tolerances required to ensure proper
gas, or liquid that, if discharged into the runway, would safety application without excessive retardation or exces-
endanger life or health shall not be permitted. sive out-of-level platform conditions resulting.
3.1.4 Lower Level Access Ramps and Pits. Lifts shall 3.2.2 Location. The top and bottom ends of each run of
have a retractable platform floor-mounted ramp in accor- guide rails shall be so located in relation to the extreme
dance with 3.1.4.2, except that lifts installed in a dedicated positions of travel of the platform that the platform
inclined runway enclosure shall be permitted to have a pit guiding members cannot travel beyond the ends of the
or a floor-mounted ramp in accordance with 3.1.4.1. guide rails.
3.1.4.1 Ramping inclinations for floor-mounted 3.2.3 Stresses and Deflections of Guide Rails and
ramps shall be not greater than Their Brackets
(a) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.)
(b) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.) 3.2.3.1 Guide Rails. For steels conforming to 3.2.1.1,
(c) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.) the stresses in a guide rail or in the rail and its reinforce-
ment, due to the horizontal forces imposed on the rail
3.1.4.2 Retractable ramps shall be automatically during loading, unloading, or running, calculated
actuated and shall remain in their elevated position without impact, shall not exceed 100 MPa (15,000 psi),
until the platform returns to the landing. When in use, and the deflection shall not exceed 6 mm (0.25 in.).
the inclination of the ramps shall be not greater than Where steels of greater strength than those specified in
(a) 1 in 4 for heights up to 50 mm (2 in.) 3.2.1.1 are used, the stresses specified shall be permitted
(b) 1 in 6 for heights up to 65 mm (2.5 in.) to be increased proportionately based on the ratio of the
(c) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.) ultimate strengths.
(d) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.)
(e) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.) 3.2.3.2 Brackets, Fastenings, and Supports. The
guide-rail brackets, their fastenings, and supports, such
3.1.5 Structural Support. The structure on which the as building beams and walls, shall be capable of resisting
lift is installed shall be capable of safely supporting the the horizontal forces imposed by the rated load with a total
loads imposed. deflection at the point of support not in excess of 3 mm
(0.125 in.).
3.1.6 Electrical Equipment and Wiring
3.2.4 Factor of Safety. The factor of safety used in the
3.1.6.1 The installation of electrical equipment and
design of guide rails shall be not less than 5, based on the
wiring shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 70.
rated load.
3.1.6.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the
3.2.5 Anchoring. The supporting tracks or guide rails

shall be securely anchored to the stairs, floor surface, or
3.2 Guide Rails and Tracks sidewall.
3.2.1 Material. Guide rails shall be of metal construc- 3.3 Driving Means and Sheaves
tion.
The driving means shall be one of the following:
3.2.1.1 Requirements for Steel, Where Used. Rails, (a) winding drum
brackets, fishplates, and rail clips shall be made of (b) traction
open-hearth steel or its equivalent having a tensile (c) roped sprocket
strength of not less than 380 MPa (55,000 psi) and (d) chain sprocket
having an elongation of not less than 22% in a length (e) screw
of 50 mm (2 in.). Bolts shall conform to ASTM A307. (f) rack and pinion
Rivets shall conform to ASTM A502. (g) direct-plunger hydraulic
(h) roped-hydraulic
3.2.1.2 Requirements for Metals Other Than Steel.
(i) lever hydraulic
Metals other than steel shall be permitted to be used,
(j) lever screw
provided the factor of safety is not less than, and the
(k) friction
deflections are not more than, the values specified in
section 3, and provided that cast iron is not used. 3.3.1 General Requirements
3.2.1.3 Guide-Rail Surfaces. Guide-rail surfaces used 3.3.1.1 The factor of safety, based on the static load
for guiding a platform or counterweight shall be suffi- (the rated load plus the weight of the platform, ropes,
ciently smooth and true to operate properly with the counterweights, etc.), to be used in the design of
guiding members. Those surfaces that the platform or driving machines and sheaves including fasteners trans-
counterweight safeties engage shall be smooth and mitting load, shall be not less than 8 for steel, bronze, or
24
ASME A18.1-2020
other metals having an elongation of at least 14% in a 3.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger
length of 50 mm (2 in.) or 10 for cast iron or other hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform
metals having an elongation of less than 14% in a to the requirements of 8.1, except 8.1.2.
length of 50 mm (2 in.). Other factors of safety for specific Roped-hydraulic machines shall also conform to the re-
driving means are further specified in section 8. quirements of 8.1, except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4.3, and
8.1.4.7.
the shear plane of bolts and screws shall not be used 3.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used,
to transmit load. shall conform to 8.2.
Means shall be provided to ensure that there is no rela-
tive motion between rigidly joined components transmit-
used, shall conform to 8.3.
ting load.
Where flexible couplings are used to transmit load, 3.3.5 Location of Power Unit and Alignment and
means shall be provided to prevent disengagement of Guarding of Sheaves and Sprockets. The power unit
the coupling components in the event of failure or exces- shall be permitted to be mounted in the platform or
sive motion in the flexible connection. placed at a remote location. If remotely located, all inter-
A fillet shall be provided at any point of change in the vening sheaves and sprockets shall be so placed that the
diameter of driving-machine shafts and sheave shafts to rope or chain travels in the proper alignment. All sheaves
prevent excessive stress concentrations in the shafts. and sprockets shall be enclosed or guarded.
Shafts that support drums, sheaves, gears, couplings,
3.3.6 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive
and other members, and that transmit torque, shall be
machines, using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or
provided with tight-fitting keys.
drive chains, shall conform to the requirements of
3.3.1.3 Friction gearing, clutch mechanisms, or 3.3.6.1 and 3.3.6.2, except that the requirements of
couplings shall not be used to connect a driving- 3.3.6.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self-
machine drum or sheave to the main driving mechanism. locking drive meeting the requirements of 3.4.2 is
provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they
3.3.1.4 Worm gearing having cast iron teeth shall not
be used on the driving machine.
3.3.6.1 General Requirements. Belt sets shall be
3.3.1.5 Driving-machine chains and sprockets shall
be of steel and shall conform in design and dimensions to
sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set
3.3.1.6 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME

sheaves, and deflecting sheaves used with suspension and B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are
compensating ropes shall be of metal, be provided with not permitted.
finished grooves for ropes or shall be permitted to be lined Sprockets in a chain-drive set and also a driven set shall
with nonmetallic groove material, and have a pitch be assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line
diameter of not less than 30 times the diameter of the after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all
suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel rope or 7 × 19 chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed
steel aircraft cable is used, the pitch diameter of the in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt
drums and sheaves shall be permitted to be reduced to in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain
21 times the diameter of the rope or cable. sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the
Where the grooves are used to transmit power, suffi- platform, which is the full load in the platform at rest and at
cient traction shall be provided between the rope and a position in the runway that creates the greatest load,
groove, and in the event of nonmetallic lining failure, including either the platform or counterweight resting
between the rope and the remaining sheave groove, to on its buffer.
safely stop and hold the platform with 125% of the Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect
rated load. against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects
ð20Þ 3.3.1.7 Guarding of Driving Machines. The driving
machine shall be guarded to prevent accidental 3.3.6.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or
contact. Any opening required for operation shall chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken
reject a ball 20 mm (0.75 in.) in diameter. Access shall belt or chain device that shall function to automatically
be provided for inspecting and servicing. Any guard(s) interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if
required to be removed for inspecting and servicing any belt or chain in a set breaks or becomes excessively
shall be secured in place using tamper-resistant fasteners slack. The driving-machine brake shall be located on the
or other tamper-resistant means. traction sheave or drum assembly side of the driving
25
ASME A18.1-2020
machine so as to be fully effective if the entire belt set or 3.5.4 Spare Rope Turns on Winding Drums. All wire
chain set should break. ropes of winding drum machines shall have not less than
one full turn of the rope on the drum when the platform or
3.4 Driving-Machine Brakes counterweight has reached its limit of possible overtravel.
3.4.1 Driving machines, except hydraulic, shall be 3.5.5 Securing Suspension Ropes to Winding Drums.
equipped with electrically released spring-applied The drum ends of wire ropes shall be secured by clamps on
brakes directly attached to the driving means through the inside of the drum of winding drum machines, by
a continuous shaft, mechanical coupling, or toothed tapered babbitted sockets, or by other means approved
gearing. A single ground or short circuit, a counter by the authority having jurisdiction.
voltage, or a motor-field discharge shall not prevent
the brake magnet from allowing the brake to set when 3.5.6 Lengthening, Splicing, Repairing, or Replacing
the operating device is placed in the stop position. Suspension Means. Suspension wire ropes shall not be
lengthened or repaired by splicing. Broken or worn
3.4.2 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking suspension chains shall not be repaired. If one rope or
drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing chain of a set is worn or damaged and requires replace-
that will stop and hold the platform with the rated load ment, the entire set of ropes or chains shall be replaced. If a
within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power is chain or sprocket is replaced due to wear, all chains and
removed is provided. sprockets shall be replaced.
3.5 Suspension and Support Means 3.5.7 Fastening of Rope Suspension Means to Plat-
3.5.1 General Requirements in a return loop by properly made individual tapered
3.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one babbitted sockets or properly attached fittings as recom-
of the following: mended by wire rope manufacturers. Clips of the U-bolt
(a) steel or iron wire rope type shall not be used. Tapered babbitted rope sockets and
(b) steel aircraft cable the method of babbitting shall conform to the require-
(c) roller chain ments of 9.8.
(d) direct-plunger hydraulic 3.5.8 Guarding. All suspension means shall be guarded
(e) roped-hydraulic against accidental contact. Suspension means that operate
(f) rack and pinion within a guide or track and travel at the same speed and in
(g) screw the same direction as the platform shall be considered
(h) friction machine guides and rollers suitably guarded.

used as suspension means. 3.6 Platforms
3.5.1.3 Where wire ropes are used, the diameter 3.6.1 Frame and Floor. The frame shall be of metal
shall not be less than 6 mm (0.25 in.). construction and have a factor of safety of not less
than 5 based on the rated load. The floor shall be of
3.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support metal or wood construction with a nonskid surface.
means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based
on the tension in the rope, cable, chain, or forces exerted 3.6.2 Securing of Enclosure. The enclosure shall be
on the hydraulic cylinder, screw drive, or rack and pinion securely fastened to the floor and so supported that it
when raising the rated load. When the platform and coun- cannot loosen or become displaced in ordinary service,
terweight are suspended by steel ropes and the driving on the application of the platform safety, or on buffer
means between the machine and the counterweight is engagement. The platform enclosure shall be so
an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety of constructed that removable portions cannot be
such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated dismantled from within the platform.
load. See section 8 for special requirements for particular Enclosure linings, decorative panels, light fixtures, and
drive systems. other apparatus or equipment attached to the enclosure
shall be securely fastened and so supported that they will
3.5.3 Arc of Contact of Suspension Means on Sheaves not loosen or become displaced in ordinary service, on
and Sprockets. The arc of contact of a wire rope on a trac- platform safety application, or on buffer engagement.
tion sheave shall be sufficient to produce adequate trac- Panels attached to the enclosure for decorative or other
tion under all load conditions. The arc of contact of a chain purposes shall not be unfastened from inside the platform
on a driving sprocket shall be not less than 140 deg. by the use of common tools or shall be permitted to be
removed from inside the platform when perforations,
exceeding that which would reject a ball 12 mm (0.5
26
ASME A18.1-2020
in.) in diameter, in the enclosure used for panel hanging or The platform enclosure walls on the sides not used for
support have permanent means to prevent straight- access or exit shall be of smooth construction to a height of
through passage beyond the running clearance. 1 100 mm (42 in.) above the platform floor with no open-
ings, other than those necessary for operation. Openings
3.6.3 Strength and Deflection of Enclosure Walls. The
necessary for operation shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in
enclosure walls shall be designed and installed to with-
diameter. A grab rail extending the full length of either wall
stand a force of 330 N (75 lbf) applied horizontally at any
shall be provided at a height not less than 850 mm (34 in.)
point on the walls of the enclosure without permanent
or greater than 1 000 mm (38 in.) from the platform floor.
deformation nor cause the deflection to exceed 25 mm
The running clearance between the platform enclosure
(1 in.).
walls and any adjacent surface shall be not less than
3.6.4 Floor Area. The inside floor area shall not exceed 50 mm (2 in.).
1.7 m2 (18 ft2).
3.6.8.1.1 Door-locking devices shall comply with
3.6.5 Material. Metals having an elongation less than 2.1.1.4.1.
20% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.) shall not be used in the
3.6.8.2 Platform With Passenger Restraining Arms.
construction of any member of the frame or floor.
A grab rail shall be provided at a height not less than 850
ð20Þ 3.6.6 Glass in Platform Enclosures. Glass shall be mm (34 in.) or greater than 1 000 mm (38 in.) from the
permitted to be used subject to the requirements of platform floor.
3.6.6.1 through 3.6.6.4.
3.6.8.2.1 The side of the platform adjacent to the
3.6.6.1 Glass shall be installed and guarded to track or guide-rail assembly shall be provided with a guard
provide adequate protection for passengers in case the of smooth, solid construction and of height that shall
glass panels break or are dislodged. prevent a seated passenger from making accidental
contact with moving suspension or driving means or
3.6.6.2 Glass shall be mounted in the structure so
moving platform trucks. The guard shall have no openings
that the structure, including the glass in place, shall with-
other than those necessary for operation. Such openings
stand the required lift tests without damage.
shall reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter.
3.6.6.3 Glass shall be laminated glass as defined by
3.6.8.2.2 The nonboarding sides of the platform
ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.2 or be
shall be provided with a guard of smooth, solid construc-
glass bonded to a nonpolymeric coating, sheeting, or
tion and of a height not less than 150 mm (6 in.).
film backing having the physical integrity to hold the frag-
ments if the glass breaks. Glass shall be tested and conform 3.6.8.2.3 The sides of the platform used for
to the acceptance criteria for laminated glass as specified boarding shall be provided with retractable metal

in ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.4. The ramps of a minimum height of 150 mm (6 in.) measured
glass shall be marked as required by ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR, vertically from the surface of the platform floor, locked in
Part 1201, Section 1201.5. their guarding positions. At a landing, only the retractable
ramp serving the landing shall be operable. It shall be
3.6.6.4 Markings as specified in 3.6.6.3 shall be on
operable only when the passenger restraining arm at
each separate piece of glass, and shall remain visible after
the nonboarding end of the platform is in its locked
installation.
guarding position. Retractable ramps shall be mechani-
3.6.7 Platform Truck and Guides. The platform shall cally locked and monitored by an electric contact that
be securely anchored to a truck that supports it. The truck shall stop the movement of the platform within 50 mm
shall be retained in a track or on a guide-rail assembly. (2 in.) of travel away from the landing if the ramps
have failed to rise to their elevated position. Retractable
3.6.8 Platform Guarding. Platform guarding shall be in
ramps, in their guarding position, shall withstand, without
accordance with 3.6.8.1 or 3.6.8.2.
permanent deformation, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied
3.6.8.1 Platform With Enclosure. The platform shall on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. This force
be equipped with a self-closing door at least 1 100 mm (42 shall not cause the height of the ramp, at any point in its
in.) high on the sides of access to the bottom landing. The length, to be less than 150 mm (6 in.) measured vertically
door shall be of solid construction and be provided with a from the surface of the platform floor.
combination mechanical lock and electric contact and
3.6.8.2.4 The platform shall be provided with
shall only be operable within 50 mm (2 in.) of the
retractable passenger restraining arms conforming to
bottom landing. It shall be permitted to allow the platform
the following:
to move if the door or gate is in the closed position but not
(a) The arms shall be located above the perimeter of the
locked, provided the device will stop the platform if the
platform floor at not less than 800 mm (32 in.) or greater
door or gate fails to lock before the platform has moved
than 1 000 mm (38 in.). Gaps between the adjacent ends of
more than 50 mm (2 in.) away from the bottom landing.
27
ASME A18.1-2020
arm sections shall not exceed 100 mm (4 in.) when the kg (750 lb). Platforms with a floor area greater than
arms are in their guarding positions. 1.4 m2 (15 ft2) shall have a rated load of 340 kg (750
(b) The arms shall be of smooth construction with all lb). The lift shall be capable of sustaining and lowering
edges rounded. They shall not be permanently deformed a load as specified in Figure 9.7. The rated speed measured
when a force of 300 N (66 lbf) is applied on any point along along the incline shall not exceed 0.15 m/s (30 ft/min).
the length of the arms in any direction. In addition, they
3.7.2 Limitation of Angle. No lift shall be installed to
shall not be permanently deformed when a force of 1 000 N
operate on an incline greater than 45 deg as measured on
(225 lbf) is applied in the horizontal direction along the
the mean.
centerline of the platform.
(c) The arms shall be provided in independent sections. 3.7.3 Capacity Plate. A capacity plate stating the rated
At landings, the retractable ramp and arm at the boarding load in pounds shall be furnished by the manufacturer and
end of the platform shall be operable only when the arm at fastened in a conspicuous place on the lift. Letters and
the nonboarding end of the platform is in its locked numbers shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
guarding position.
3.7.4 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the
(d) Each retractable arm shall be mechanically locked
manufacturer and securely fastened in a conspicuous
and monitored by an electric contact that shall stop the
place. The plate shall state the rated speed, rated load,
movement of the platform within 50 mm (2 in.) of travel
suspension or support means, date of manufacture,
away from any landing if the arm is not in its locked
and manufacturer’s name. Letters and numerals shall
guarding position. Means shall be provided to manually
be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
unlock the retractable arms for emergency evacuation
purposes. The unlocking mechanism shall not be 3.7.5 Restriction Sign. A sign shall be provided at each
readily accessible to the passenger. landing and on the platform and shall be securely fastened
(e) Where the retractable arms are power operated, in a conspicuous place. The sign shall state “No Freight” in
control shall be by means of a continuous-pressure letters not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) high and shall include
device. The closing speed shall not exceed 0.3 m/s (1 the international symbol of accessibility.
ft/sec) as measured at the fastest point. The force neces-
sary to prevent closing of power-operated arms shall not 3.8 Safeties and Speed Governors
exceed 140 N (30 lbf) as measured from rest at the All platforms shall be provided with a safety, except
midpoint across the arm at the boarding end of the plat- platforms of direct-plunger hydraulic lifts. The safety
form. The arms may operate in the direction away from an shall be actuated by the action of a speed governor or
obstruction. by the breakage or slackening of the suspension or
3.6.8.2.5 Means shall be provided to manually fold support means. Where actuation is by a governor, the

the platform and passenger restraining arms. The plat- safety shall be set at a maximum speed of 0.4 m/s (75
form and passenger restraining arms shall remain in ft/min). Where actuation is by breakage or slackening
the folded position after being manually folded. of the suspension or support means, the safety shall be
set without delay, and independent of the speed governor,
3.6.9 Obstruction Devices. The upward and down- if provided.
ward facing edges of the platform floor and the entire Safety parts shall conform to the requirements of 3.8.1.
underside shall be equipped with obstruction devices. Governor ropes, where provided, shall conform to the re-
The force required to operate the devices shall not quirements of 3.8.2. The application and release of safeties
exceed 70 N (15 lbf). The obstruction devices shall shall conform to the requirements of 3.8.3.
stop the platform lift from traveling in the direction of
the obstruction within a distance of 50 mm (2 in.). The 3.8.1 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of
platform lift shall be permitted to operate in the direction Safety Parts and Rope Connections
away from the obstruction. 3.8.1.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope
The underside obstruction device shall stop the plat- drums, leading sheaves, and their supporting brackets and
form lift only when the platform lift is obstructed safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than
while traveling in the down direction. 3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the
3.6.10 The lift shall be provided with a folding seat and materials used shall have an elongation of not less than
seatbelt with a rated load of not less than 115 kg (250 lb). 15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded
parts shall be stress relieved.
3.7 Capacity, Load, Speed, and Angle of Inclination 3.8.1.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the
3.7.1 Limitations of Capacity, Load, and Speed. The operation of platform or counterweight safeties. Where
capacity shall be one person. The rated load shall be used, and where partially loaded prior to safety operation,
not less than 250 kg (550 lb) and not greater than 340 the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber stress
28
ASME A18.1-2020
exceeding one-half the elastic limit of the material. During Terminal stopping devices that are located on the plat-
operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall not exceed form or in the runway shall be securely mounted in such a
85% of the elastic limit of the material. manner that horizontal movement of the platform shall
Helical springs, where used, shall be in compression. not affect the operation of the device.
3.8.1.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and 3.9.2 Normal stopping devices operated by the plat-
their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be form shall be provided, and shall be set to stop the plat-
permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals, form floor within a tolerance of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the
provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less landings under rated loading to zero loading conditions.
than 10.
3.8.1.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to operated by the platform shall be provided to remove
the governor rope, including rope wound on the safety- power from the motor and the brake if provided,
rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) in except as specified in 3.9.6. They shall be set to stop
diameter and shall be made of a corrosion-resistant the platform after it travels past the normal terminal stop-
metal. The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less ping device and before striking an obstruction. A slack-
than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be used. rope device equipped with a slack-rope switch of the
enclosed manually reset type that shall cause the electric
3.8.1.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the
power to be removed from the driving-machine motor and
maximum stresses developed in the parts during the
brake, if provided, if any hoisting rope becomes slack shall
operation of the safety when stopping the rated load
be permitted to be used as the lower final terminal stop-
from the governor tripping speed.
ping device.
3.8.1.6 Safety-rope leading-sheave brackets and
3.9.4 Final terminal stopping devices shall be
other safety operating parts shall not be attached to or
mechanically operated. The switch contacts shall be
supported by wood platform members.
directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that
3.8.2 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination
shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze, or thereof, to open the contacts shall not be used.
stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-lay construction,
3.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not
and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter. The factor of
control the same controller switches as the normal term-
safety of governor ropes shall be not less than 5. Tiller-
inal stopping device unless two or more separate and inde-
rope construction shall not be used.
pendent switches are provided, two of which shall be
3.8.3 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied closed to complete the driving-machine motor-and-
mechanically. Electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices brake circuit in either direction of travel. Where a two-

shall not be used to apply the safeties required by this or three-phase alternating-current driving-machine
section, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted position. motor is used, these switches shall be of the multipole
type.
ð20Þ 3.8.3.1 Level of Platform Floor on Safety Applica-
The control shall be so designed and installed that a
tion. The application of a Type A safety to stop the platform
single ground or short circuit shall be permitted to
with its rated load centered on each quarter of the plat-
allow either, but not prevent both, of the normal and
form floor symmetrically with relation to the centerline of
final stopping device circuits from stopping the platform.
the platform floor shall not cause the platform floor to be
out of level more than 30 mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direc- 3.9.6 Final terminal stopping devices are not required
tion. for direct-plunger hydraulic driving machines. Lower final
terminal stopping devices are not required where the
3.8.3.2 Release. When platform safeties are applied,
limitations of the machine or runway limit the travel
no decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of
of the platform (e.g., a platform at rest on the bottom term-
the platform in the down direction shall release the safe-
inal landing).
ties, but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by
the motion of the platform in the up direction.
3.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment
3.9 Terminal Stopping Devices 3.10.1 Operation. Operation of the lift from the land- ð20Þ
ings and from the platform shall be controlled by control
3.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by
3.9.2 shall be permitted to use mechanically operated,
continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be permanently
magnetically operated, optical, or static-type switches.
accessible 1 220 mm (48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15
Final terminal stopping devices required by 3.9.3 shall
in.) minimum above the platform floor or facility floor or
use only mechanically operated switches for determining
ground level. Operating devices shall be designed so that
platform position.
29
ASME A18.1-2020
both the “UP” and “DOWN” circuits cannot be operated at shall be considered to be provided if a reversal of phase of
the same time. the incoming polyphase alternating-current power will
not cause the driving-machine motor to operate in the
3.10.2 Attendant Operation wrong direction.
3.10.2.1 Where applicable, and where approved by 3.10.6 Emergency Stop Switch. An emergency stop
the authority having jurisdiction, the lift shall be permitted switch shall be located within reach of the passenger
to be attendant operated. The attendant shall be whether sitting in a wheelchair or sitting on the
summoned by means of clearly labeled attendant call folding seat and located 1 200 mm (48 in.) maximum
stations placed at each landing. and 380 mm (15 in.) minimum above the platform
3.10.2.2 The attendant shall operate the lift by floor. When opened, this switch shall cause the electric
means of a continuous-pressure switch located in a power to be removed from the driving-machine motor
control box on the free end of a detachable, flexible and brake. Emergency stop switches shall be of the manu-
cord not more than 1 500 mm (60 in.) in length. A manually ally opened and closed type and have red operating
reset emergency stop switch shall also be provided in the handles or buttons. They shall be conspicuously and
control box. permanently marked “STOP” and shall indicate the
“STOP” and “RUN” positions. Switches shall be positively
3.10.2.3 No controls, other than an emergency stop opened mechanically and their opening shall not be solely
switch, shall be provided on the lift. dependent on springs.
3.10.2.4 Where the lift operates on a straight flight of An emergency stop switch shall not be provided on any
stairs, and where the platform is within sight during its landing control except as required by 3.10.2.
entire travel, provisions shall be permitted to be made for 3.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for
the attendant to operate the lift from the top or bottom of Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines.
the stairs. A manual-reset emergency stop switch shall be Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
provided in each landing control station. shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually
3.10.3 Control and Operating Circuit Requirements. reset type that will remove power from the motor and
The design and installation of the control and operating brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
circuits shall conform to 3.10.3.1 through 3.10.3.3. the suspension ropes slacken. Lifts with roller-chain
suspension means shall be provided with a slack-chain
3.10.3.1 Control systems that depend on the comple- device, which will remove power from the motor and
tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
for interruption of the power and application of the the suspension means slacken. This device is not required
machine brake at terminal landings or stopping the to be of the manually reset type if the chain sprockets are

machine when the safety applies. guarded to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged
3.10.3.2 If springs are used to actuate switches, from the sprockets.
contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift 3.10.8 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
at the terminal landing, they shall be of the restrained Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electrically
compression type. released until power has been applied to the driving-
3.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper- machine motor. All power feed lines to the brake shall
ated switch, relay, or contactor to release in the intended be opened, and the brake shall apply automatically
manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate when any operating device in 3.10.1 or 3.10.2 is in the
as intended, or the occurrence of a single accidental stop position and when any electrical protective device
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not functions.
3.10.9.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall
3.10.4 Motor Reversal Protection. Where a non-
conform to the requirements of NFPA 70.
instantaneous reversible motor is used, a protective
circuit or device shall be provided to prevent the 3.10.9.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever- requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
sing control is activated.
3.10.10 Emergency Operations. Means shall be ð20Þ
3.10.5 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Lifts provided to raise or lower the platform manually along
having polyphase alternating-current power supply the path of travel. This means shall only be accessible
shall be provided with means to prevent the starting to lift personnel, emergency personnel, or authorized per-
of the lift motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direc- sonnel. The means to raise or lower the platform shall be
tion or if there is a failure of any phase. This protection capable of moving the platform to a landing and of being
30
ASME A18.1-2020
accessed and operated without working directly above the activate the two-way conversation system does not
platform. have to be provided on the platform.
3.10.10.1 The means to manually raise or lower the 3.11.3 If the audible signaling device(s), or the means of ð20Þ
lift shall provide for controlled ascent or descent not faster two-way conversation, or both, are normally connected to
than the rated speed and shall be permitted to override the building power supply, they shall automatically
operating devices and control equipment. The means shall transfer to a source of standby or emergency power as
be permitted to be required by the applicable building code or, where appli-
(a) an independent battery-operated system to manu- cable, NFPA 99 after the normal power supply fails. The
ally raise or lower the lift power source shall be capable of providing for the opera-
(b) a manual pump, lowering valve, or cable release tion of the audible signaling device and illumination of the
device where a hydraulic drive system is used, or alarm switch for at least 1 h, and the means of two-way
(c) other suitable means conversation for at least 4 h.
3.10.10.2 If an opening in the runway is required to 3.12 Standby Emergency Power ð20Þ
access the means to manually raise or lower the platform,
it shall be Lifts shall be permitted to have standby emergency
(a) located to permit the required access. power to raise or lower the lift in the event of main
(b) a maximum width of 300 mm (12 in.) and a power failure. Where standby emergency power is
maximum height of 300 mm (12 in.). The opening size required by the building code, it shall comply with
shall be permitted to be increased, provided that any 3.12.1 through 3.12.3.
resultant opening into the runway shall reject a 300 3.12.1 Standby Power Source. The lift shall be powered
mm (12 in.) ball. by a standby power system from the building or from a
(c) provided with a door that shall be kept closed and rechargeable battery power system.
locked. Keys to unlock the access door to the lift runway
shall be available only to lift personnel, emergency per- 3.12.2 Operation. The standby power system shall be
sonnel, or other authorized personnel. capable of cycling the lift under full load for five cycles
(d) attached so that it cannot fall when opened and minimum after building power is removed.
shall not open into the runway. 3.12.3 Transfer. The transfer between the normal and
(e) monitored so that the lift cannot be put back into the standby power system shall be automatic.
normal operation without being in its closed and locked
position. 3.13 Code Data Plate
3.11 Emergency Signal A code data plate shall be provided that indicates the

A18.1 Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The
If the lift is installed in an area not visible to personnel at data plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the
all times, emergency signaling devices shall be provided in main line disconnect or on the controller. The data plate
accordance with the requirements of 3.11.1 or 3.11.2. shall be of such material and construction that the letters
ð20Þ 3.11.1 The lift shall be provided with an audible and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise applied to
signaling device that is located outside the platform the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The
area, but adjacent to the lift. The audible signaling height of the letters and figures shall be no less than 3 mm
device shall be operable from the emergency stop (0.125 in.).
switch that is also marked with “ALARM” or from a sepa-
rate switch marked “ALARM” that is located in or adjacent 4 INCLINED STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS4
to each platform operating panel. The switch marked Section 4 applies to inclined stairway chairlifts installed
“ALARM” shall illuminate when actuated. The signaling in locations other than in or at a private residence for use
device shall be audible outside the platform and by the mobility impaired.
outside the runway. The audible signaling device shall
have a rated sound pressure rating of not less than 70 4.1 Runways
dBA nor greater than 80 dBA at 3 000 m (120 in.) and
shall respond without delay after the switch has been acti- 4.1.1 Lifts shall be installed so that a means of egress is
vated. maintained as required by the authority having jurisdic-
tion.
ð20Þ 3.11.2 The lift shall be provided with a means of two-
way conversation (telephone, intercom, etc.) between the
platform and a readily accessible point outside the runway
that is available to emergency personnel. The means to 4
a private residence.
31
ASME A18.1-2020
4.1.2 The structure on which the equipment is 4.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger
installed shall be capable of safely supporting the loads hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform
imposed. to the requirements of 8.1 except 8.1.2.
Roped-hydraulic machines shall also conform to the re-
4.1.3 The installation of electrical equipment and
quirements of 8.1 except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4.3, and
8.1.4.7.
4.1.4 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the re-
4.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used,
quirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
shall conform to 8.2.
4.2 Guide Rails and Tracks 4.3.4 Friction Machines. Friction machines, where
The supporting tracks or guide rails shall be securely used, shall conform to 8.3.
anchored to the stairs, floor surface, or sidewall. The factor 4.3.5 Location of Power Unit and Alignment and
of safety used in the design of the guide rails and tracks Guarding of Sheaves and Sprockets. The power unit
shall be not less than 5 based on the rated load. shall be permitted to be mounted on the carriage or
placed at a remote location. If it is remotely located, all
4.3 Driving Means and Sheaves intervening sheaves and sprockets shall be so placed
The driving means shall be one of the following: that the rope or chain travels in the proper alignment.
(a) winding drum All sheaves and sprockets shall be enclosed or guarded.
(b) traction 4.3.6 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive
(c) roped sprocket machines using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or
(d) chain sprocket drive chains shall conform to the requirements of
(e) screw 4.3.6.1 through 4.3.6.3, except that the requirements of
(f) rack and pinion 4.3.6.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self-
(g) direct-plunger hydraulic locking drive meeting the requirements of 4.4.2 is
(h) roped-hydraulic provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they
(i) lever hydraulic shall be preloaded and matched for length in sets.
(j) lever screw
(k) friction 4.3.6.1 General Requirements. Belt sets shall be
4.3.1 General Requirements strength and a factor of safety of 10. Chain and sprocket
4.3.1.1 The factor of safety used in the design of the sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set
sprockets and sheaves shall be not less than 5 based on the forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME

rated load. See section 8 for special requirements for par- B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are
ticular drive systems. not permitted.
Sprockets in a chain-drive set and also a driven set shall
4.3.1.2 Driving-machine chains and sprockets shall be assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line
be of steel and shall conform in design and dimensions to after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all
the requirements of ASME B29.1. chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed
4.3.1.3 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt
sheaves, and deflecting sheaves used with suspension and in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain
compensating ropes shall be of metal and be provided with sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the
finished grooves for ropes or shall be permitted to be lined carriage, which is the full load on the chair at rest and at a
with nonmetallic groove material and have a pitch position in the runway that creates the greatest load,
diameter of not less than 30 times the diameter of the including either the carriage or counterweight resting
suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel rope or 7 × 19 on its buffer.
steel aircraft cable is used, the pitch diameter of the Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect
drums and sheaves shall be permitted to be reduced to against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects
21 times the diameter of the rope or cable. from interfering with drives.
Where the grooves are used to transmit power, suffi- 4.3.6.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or
cient traction shall be provided between the rope and chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken
groove, and in the event of nonmetallic lining failure, belt or chain device that shall function to automatically
between the rope and the remaining sheave groove, to interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if
safely stop and hold the chair with 125% of the rated load. any belt or chain in the set breaks or becomes excessively
slack. The driving-machine brake shall be located on the
32
ASME A18.1-2020
machine so as to be fully effective if the entire belt set or 4.6 Chairs and Seats
chain set should break.
Each chair shall have a foot platform and a seat with a
4.3.6.3 Replacement of Belts or Chains. If one belt or backrest and a seat belt. Each chair shall be equipped with
chain of a set is worn, stretched, or damaged so as to two hand grips or arms. If the chair stops less than 500 mm
require replacement, the entire set shall be replaced. (20 in.) beyond the nose of the top landing, measured hori-
Sprockets and toothed sheaves shall also be replaced if zontally from the center of the seat, a swivel seat shall be
worn. provided. The swivel shall have a positive locking
mechanism, and the seat shall have an electric contact
4.4 Driving-Machine Brakes that shall prevent the operation of the lift when the
4.4.1 A driving-machine brake directly attached to the seat is not in the operating position.
driving means through a continuous shaft, mechanical 4.6.1 Chair Truck and Guides. The chair shall be
coupling, or toothed gearing of the electrically released securely anchored to a truck that supports it. The
spring-applied type shall be provided, except on lifts truck shall be restrained in a track or on a guide-rail
with hydraulic driving machines. assembly.
4.4.2 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking 4.6.2 Factors of Safety. The factor of safety used in the
drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing design of the carriage and truck shall be not less than 5
that will stop and hold the carriage with the rated load based on the rated load.
within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power
is removed is provided. 4.6.3 Footrest Obstruction Device. If the footrest is
located so that it is within 150 mm (6 in.) of the step
4.5 Suspension and Support Means nosing or riser, a device shall be provided on the footrest
to stop the upward motion of the carriage if it encounters
4.5.1 General Requirements
an object between the footrest and step nosing or riser.
4.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one
4.6.4 Footrest Clearance. At no point in its travel shall
of the following:
the edge of the footrest facing the upper landing be more
(a) steel or iron wire rope
than 600 mm (24 in.) above the step or landing as
(b) steel aircraft cable
measured vertically.
(c) roller chain
(d) direct-plunger hydraulic 4.7 Capacity, Speed, and Angle of Inclination
(e) roped-hydraulic
(f) rack and pinion 4.7.1 Limitations of Capacity, Load, and Speed. The
(g) screw capacity shall not exceed two persons. The rated load

(h) friction machine guides and rollers shall be not less than 115 kg (250 lb) for a one-seat
lift and not less than 180 kg (400 lb) for a two-seat
4.5.1.2 Steel tapes or welded link chains shall not be lift. The rated speed shall not exceed 0.2 m/s (40 ft/min).
used as suspension means. Where wire ropes are used, the
diameter shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.). Where 4.7.2 Limitation of Angle. No lift shall be installed to
aircraft cable is used, the diameter shall be not less operate on a greater incline than 45 deg as measured on
than 3 mm (0.125 in.). the mean.
4.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support 4.7.3 Capacity Plate. A capacity plate stating the rated
means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based load in pounds shall be furnished by the manufacturer and
on the tension in the rope, cable, chain, or forces exerted fastened in a conspicuous place on the device. Letters and
on the hydraulic cylinder, screw drive, or rack and pinion numbers shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
when raising the rated load. When the carriage and coun- 4.7.4 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the
terweight are suspended by steel ropes and the driving manufacturer and securely fastened in a conspicuous
means between the machine and the counterweight is place. The plate shall state the rated speed, rated load,
an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety of suspension or support means, date of manufacture,
such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated and manufacturer’s name. Letters and numerals shall
load. See section 8 for special requirements for particular be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
drive systems.
4.5.3 Replacement of Chains and Sprockets. If two or 4.8 Safeties and Speed Governors
more chains are used as a suspension or support means All carriages shall be provided with a safety, except for
and a worn chain or sprocket is replaced, all chains and carriages of direct-plunger hydraulic lifts or other drive
sprockets shall be replaced. systems that are designed so that the failure of any single
33
ASME A18.1-2020
drive component cannot result in the platform over- safety of governor ropes shall be not less than 5. Tiller-
speeding. The safety shall be actuated by the action of rope construction shall not be used.
a speed governor or by the breakage or slackening of
4.8.3 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied
the suspension or support means. Where actuation is
by a governor, the safety shall be set at a maximum
shall not be used to apply the safeties required by this
speed of 0.4 m/s (75 ft/min). Where actuation is by
section, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted position.
breakage of the suspension or support means, the
safety shall be set without delay, and independent of 4.8.3.1 Level of Chair on Safety Application. The ð20Þ
the speed governor, if provided. Safety parts shall application of a Type A safety to stop the chair with its
conform to the requirements of 4.8.1. Governor ropes, rated load shall not cause the chair to be out of level
where provided, shall conform to the requirements of more than 30 mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direction.
4.8.2. The application and release of safeties shall
4.8.3.2 Release. When carriage safeties are applied,
conform to the requirements of 4.8.3.
no decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of
4.8.1 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of the carriage in the down direction shall release the safe-
Safety Parts and Rope Connections ties, but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by
the motion of the chair in the up direction.
4.8.1.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope
drums, leading sheaves, and their supporting brackets and
4.9 Terminal Stopping Devices
safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than
3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the 4.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by
materials used shall have an elongation of not less than 4.9.2 shall be permitted to use mechanically operated,
15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded magnetically operated, optical, or static-type switches.
parts shall be stress relieved. Final terminal stopping devices required by 4.9.3 shall
use only mechanically operated switches for determining
ð20Þ 4.8.1.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the
platform position.
operation of carriage or counterweight safeties. Where
Terminal stopping devices that are located on the
springs are used and partially loaded prior to safety opera-
carriage or in the runway shall be of the enclosed type
tion, the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber
and securely mounted in such a manner that horizontal
stress exceeding one-half of the elastic limit of the mate-
movement of the carriage shall not affect the operation of
rial. During operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall
the device.
not exceed 85% of the elastic limit of the material. Helical
springs, where used, shall be in compression. 4.9.2 Upper and lower normal terminal stopping
devices operated by the carriage shall be provided, and
4.8.1.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and

shall be set to stop the chair at or near the upper and
their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be
lower terminal landings under rated loading to zero
permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals,
loading conditions.
provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less
than 10. 4.9.3 Upper and lower final terminal stopping devices
operated by the carriage to remove power from the motor
4.8.1.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to
and the brake shall be provided, except as specified in
4.9.6. They shall be set to stop the carriage after it
rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) diameter
travels past the normal terminal stopping device and
and shall be made of a corrosion-resistant metal.
before striking an obstruction.
The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less than 5.
A slack-rope device equipped with a slack-rope switch
Tiller-rope construction shall not be used.
of the enclosed manually reset type that shall cause the
4.8.1.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the electric power to be removed from the driving-machine
maximum stresses developed in the parts during the motor and brake, if any hoisting rope becomes slack, shall
operation of the safety when stopping the rated load be permitted to be used as the lower final terminal stop-
from the governor tripping speed. ping device.
4.8.1.6 Safety-rope leading-sheave brackets and 4.9.4 Final terminal stopping devices shall be
other safety operating parts shall not be attached to or mechanically operated. The switch contacts shall be
supported by wood platform members. directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that
depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination
4.8.2 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes
thereof, to open the contacts shall not be used.
shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze, or
stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-lay construction,
and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter. The factor of
34
ASME A18.1-2020
4.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not This protection shall be considered to be provided if a
control the same controller switches as the normal term- reversal of phase of the incoming polyphase alternating-
inal stopping device unless two or more separate and inde- current power will not cause the driving-machine motor
pendent switches are provided, two of which shall be to operate in the wrong direction.
closed to complete the driving-machine motor-and-
4.10.5 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
brake circuit in either direction of travel. Where a two-
Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electrically
or three-phase alternating-current driving-machine
motor is used, these switches shall be of the multipole
type. The control shall be so designed and installed
be opened, and the brake shall apply automatically
that a single ground or short circuit shall be permitted
to allow either, but not prevent both, of the normal
“STOP” position and when any electrical protective
and final stopping device circuits from stopping the
device functions.
carriage.
4.10.6 Control and Operating Circuits. The design and
4.9.6 Final terminal stopping devices are not required
installation of the control and operating circuits shall
for direct-plunger hydraulic driving machines. Lower final
conform to 4.10.6.1 and 4.10.6.2.
limitations of the machine or runway limit the travel 4.10.6.1 Control systems that depend on the comple-
of the carriage (e.g., a carriage at rest on the bottom term- tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used
inal landing). for interruption of the power and application of the
driving-machine brake at terminal landings or stopping
4.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment the machine when the safety applies.
ð20Þ 4.10.1 Operation. Operation of the lift from the land- 4.10.6.2 If springs are used to actuate switches,
ings and from the chair shall be controlled by control contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift
switches at all stations, and shall be by means of the at the terminal landing, they shall be of the restrained
continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be permanently compression type.
accessible 1 220 mm (48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15
in.) minimum above the platform floor or facility floor or 4.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for
ground level. Operating devices shall be designed so that Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines.
both the “UP” and “DOWN” circuits cannot be operated at Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
the same time. shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually
4.10.2 Motor Reversal Protection. Where a non- brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and

instantaneous reversible motor is used, a protective the suspension ropes slacken. Lifts with roller-chain
circuit or device shall be provided to prevent the suspension means shall be provided with a slack-chain
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever- device that will remove power from the motor and
sing control is activated. brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
the suspension means slacken. This device is not required
4.10.3 Electrical Equipment and Wiring to be of the manually reset type if the chain sprockets are
4.10.3.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall guarded to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged
conform to the requirements of NFPA 70. from the sprockets.
4.10.3.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the 4.11 Code Data Plate
A code data plate shall be provided that indicates the
4.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper- A18.1 Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The
ated switch, relay, or contractor to release in the intended data plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the
manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate main line disconnect or on the controller. The data plate
as intended, or the occurrence of a single accidental shall be of such material and construction that the letters
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise applied to
permit the lift to start if this failure renders ineffective the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The
any electrical protective device. height of the letters and figures shall be not less than 3 mm
4.10.4 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Chair- (0.125 in.).
lifts having polyphase alternating-current power supply
shall be provided with a means to prevent the starting of
the motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direction, or
if there is a failure of any phase.
35
ASME A18.1-2020
5 PRIVATE RESIDENCE VERTICAL PLATFORM 5.1.1.4 The guard shall be operated with positive
LIFTS5 cam action or provided with an electric contact that
shall stop the platform if the guard is not fully elevated
Section 5 applies to vertical platform lifts where when the platform has traveled 150 mm (6 in.) away from
installed in or at a private residence for use by the mobility the lower landing.
impaired.
5.1.1.5 The guard shall withstand, without perma-
5.1 Runways nent deformation, a force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any
100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. This force shall not
Runways shall be installed in accordance with 2.1.1, cause the height of the ramp, at any point in its length, to be
2.1.2, 2.1.3, or 5.1.1. Runway construction for lifts that less than 150 mm (6 in.) measured vertically from the
penetrate a floor must comply with 2.1.1 and with the surface of the platform floor.
building code. Only lifts installed in conformance with
2.1.1 shall serve more than two landings. 5.1.1.6 The sides of the platform not used for
entrance or exit shall be guarded to a height of at least
5.1.1 Guarding
900 mm (36 in.) by smooth construction with no openings,
5.1.1.1 The runway shall be guarded at the upper other than those necessary for the operation of the lift.
landing by a door at least 900 mm (36 in.) high of Those openings necessary for operation shall reject a
solid construction and provided with a combination ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter.
mechanical lock and electric contact. The door shall be
5.1.1.7 The underside of the platform shall be
permitted to be opened only if the platform floor is
guarded in accordance with the requirements of
within 50 mm (2 in.) of that landing.
5.1.1.7.1, 5.1.1.7.2, or 5.1.1.7.3.
5.1.1.1.1 Door-locking devices shall comply with
2.1.1.4.1.
equipped with a device that, if the platform is obstructed
ð20Þ 5.1.1.2 A smooth vertical surface shall be provided anywhere on its underside in its downward travel, shall
from the top terminal landing sill and any intermediate cause electric power to be removed from the driving-
landing sill to not less than 25 mm (1 in.) below the machine motor and brake, if provided, and cause the plat-
level of the platform floor on the lower mechanical form to stop its downward motion within 50 mm (2 in.).
stop. Where a pit is provided and is less than 25 mm The stroke of the device shall not be less than the stopping
(1 in.) in depth, the surface shall extend to the pit distance of the platform. The force required to operate the
floor. Openings necessary for operation shall reject a device shall not exceed 70 N (15 lbf). The lift shall be
ball 12 mm (0.5 in.) in diameter. permitted to operate away from the obstruction. Down-
The surface shall be capable of withstanding a force of ward motion shall be permitted to resume when the

330 N (75 lbf) on a 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. × 4 in.) surface obstruction is removed. When the installation conforms
and have deflection less than 20 mm (0.75 in.) in any loca- to the requirements of 2.1.1 or 2.1.2, the sensing device on
tion. The surface shall not be permanently deformed when the underside of the platform is not required.
a force of 550 N (125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100
mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area.
equipped with a bellows or similar device that shall
Projections from the vertical surface shall not exceed 5
not be permanently deformed when a force of 550 N
mm (0.20 in.), and projections exceeding 2 mm (0.08 in.)
(125 lbf) is applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4 in. ×
shall be beveled at an angle of 15 deg or less to the line of
4 in.) area. Deflection of the bellows due to a force of
travel. The clearance between the platform edge and the
330 N (75 lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100 mm (4
landing sill or any vertical surface of the hoistway shall be
in. × 4 in.) area shall not exceed 75 mm (3 in.) or the
not less than 10 mm (0.375 in.) nor more than 20 mm (0.75
distance to contact an internal moving component
in.).
other than the bellows support mechanism, whichever
5.1.1.3 A metal guard at least 150 mm (6 in.) in height is less. Deflection shall be measured with the platform
and extending the full width of the platform shall be at the uppermost landing.
installed on the lower landing side of the platform to (a) The upper attachment point of the bellows shall be
prevent a wheelchair from rolling off the platform. The permitted to be inset from the outer edge of the platform,
guard shall be automatically actuated by the movement provided that the exposed area of the underside of the
of the platform away from the lower landing, and it shall platform is equipped with a device that conforms to
remain in the elevated position until the platform returns 5.1.1.7.1.
to the lower landing. (b) Deflection greater than that allowed by 5.1.1.7.2
shall be permitted, provided that any additional deflection
5 actuates a sensing device that causes the electric power to
See section 2 for the requirements for this equipment installed in
locations other than in or at a private residence. be removed from the driving-machine motor and brake, if
36
ASME A18.1-2020
provided, and causes the platform to stop its downward 5.2 Guide Rails
motion within 50 mm (2 in.). Downward motion shall be
permitted to resume when the bellows is returned to its Guide rails shall conform to the requirements of 5.2.1
normal condition. through 5.2.5. Where standard tee rails are provided they
shall also conform to the requirements of 5.2.6 and 5.2.7.
5.1.1.7.3 A force-sensitive safety surface shall be Rail joints shall be designed to maintain the accuracy of the
provided covering the entire floor area directly under the rail alignment and to withstand the stress and deflection
moving platform plus 75 mm (3 in.) beyond any exposed limitations stipulated in 5.2.2.
platform edge. The device shall prevent downward motion
of the platform when activated by a force not to exceed 70 5.2.1 Material. Guide rails, guide-rail brackets, rail
N (15 lbf) applied anywhere on its surface. The lift shall be clips, fishplates, and their fastenings shall be of steel
permitted to operate in the upward direction. Downward or other metals conforming to the requirements of 5.2,
motion shall be permitted to resume when the force is or, where steel may present an accident hazard, as in
removed. chemical or explosive plants, guide rails shall be permitted
to be of selected wood or other suitable nonmetalic mate-
5.1.1.8 The platform floor-to-sill clearance at the rials.
upper landing shall not exceed 20 mm (0.75 in.).
5.2.1.1 Requirements for Steel, Where Used. Rails,
5.1.2 Pipes in Runway Vicinity. Pipes conveying steam, brackets, fishplates, and rail clips shall be made of
gas, or liquids that, if discharged into the runway of the open-hearth steel or its equivalent having a tensile
platform, would endanger life or health shall not be strength of not less than 380 MPa (55,000 psi) and
permitted. having an elongation of not less than 22% in a length
5.1.3 Lower Level Access Ramps. A retractable ramp of 50 mm (2 in.). Bolts shall conform to ASTM A307.
shall be permitted to be mounted on the platform floor, Rivets shall conform to ASTM A502.
and the incline of the ramp shall be not greater than 5.2.1.2 Requirements for Metals Other Than Steel.
(a) 1 in 4 for heights up to 50 mm (2 in.) Metals other than steel shall be permitted to be used,
(b) 1 in 6 for heights up to 65 mm (2.5 in.) provided the factor of safety is not less than, and the
(c) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.) deflections are not more than, the values specified in
(d) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.) section 5, and provided that cast iron is not used.
(e) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.)
The ramp shall extend the full width of the platform 5.2.2 Stresses and Deflections
floor. It shall be permitted to be actuated by the movement 5.2.2.1 Guide Rails. For steels conforming to the re-
of the platform away from the lower landing and it shall quirements of 5.2.1.1, the stresses in a guide rail or in the
remain retracted while the platform is away from the rail and its reinforcement, due to the horizontal forces

lower landing. The ramp shall be permitted to also be imposed on the rail during loading, unloading, or
used as the guard specified in 5.1.1.3. running, calculated without impact, shall not exceed
The ramp shall be operated by a positive mechanical 100 MPa (15,000 psi), and the deflection shall not
action or shall be provided with an electric contact exceed 6 mm (0.25 in.).
that will stop the movement of the platform within Where steels of greater strength than those specified in
150 mm (6 in.) of the lower landing if the ramp has 5.2.1.1 are used, the stresses specified shall be permitted
failed to rise to its elevated position. to be increased proportionately based on the ratio of the
ultimate strengths.
5.2.2.2 Brackets, Fastenings, and Supports. The
5.1.4.1 The installation of electrical equipment and
guide-rail brackets, their fastenings, and supports, such
as building beams and walls, shall be capable of resisting
5.1.4.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the the horizontal forces imposed by rated load with a total
requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5. deflection at the point of support not in excess of 3 mm
(0.125 in.).
5.1.5 Structural Support. The structure on which the
equipment is installed shall be capable of safely 5.2.3 Guide-Rail Surfaces. Guide-rail surfaces used for
supporting the loads imposed. guiding a platform or counterweight shall be sufficiently
smooth and true to operate properly with the guiding
5.1.6 Headroom Clearance. Headroom clearance
members. Those surfaces that the platform or counter-
throughout the range of travel shall be not less than
2 000 mm (79 in.) as measured vertically from the plat- weight safeties engage shall be smooth and true within
form floor. the tolerances required to ensure proper safety applica-
tion without excessive retardation or excessive out-of-
level platform conditions resulting.
37
ASME A18.1-2020
5.2.4 Overall Length of Guide Rails. The platform and length of 50 mm (2 in.). See section 8 for special require-
counterweight guide rails shall extend at the top and ments for particular drive systems.
bottom to prevent the guiding members from disengaging
from the guide rails if either the platform or counterweight
the shear plane of bolts and screws shall not be used
reaches its extreme limit of travel.
to transmit load.
5.2.5 Design and Strength of Brackets and Supports. Means shall be provided to ensure that there is no rela-
The building construction forming the supports for the tive motion between rigidly joined components transmit-
guide rails, and the guide-rail brackets, shall be designed ting load.
to safely withstand the application of the platform or coun- Where flexible couplings are used to transmit load,
terweight safety when stopping the platform and its rated means shall be provided to prevent disengagement of
load or the counterweight, and shall withstand the forces the coupling components in the event of failure or exces-
specified in 5.2.2.2 within the deflection limits specified. sive motion in the flexible connection.
Where necessary, the building construction shall be A fillet shall be provided at any point of change in the
reinforced to provide adequate supports for the guide diameter of driving-machine shafts and sheave shafts to
rails. prevent excessive stress concentrations in the shafts.
Shafts that support drums, sheaves, gears, couplings,
5.2.6 Bracket Fastenings. Guide-rail brackets shall be
and other members, and that transmit torque, shall be
secured to their supporting structure by means of bolts or
provided with tight-fitting keys.
rivets, or by welding. Fastening bolts and bolt holes in
brackets and their supporting beams shall conform to 5.3.1.3 Friction gearing, clutch mechanisms, or
the requirements of 5.2.7. Welding, where used, shall couplings shall not be used to connect a driving
conform to the requirements of 9.1. machine drum or sheave to the main driving mechanism.
5.2.7 Type of Fastenings. Guide rails shall be secured 5.3.1.4 Worm gearing having cast iron teeth shall not
to their brackets by clips, welds, or bolts. Bolts used for be used on the driving machine.
fastening shall be of such strength as to withstand the
forces specified in 5.2.2.2 and 5.2.5.
Welding, where used, shall conform to the requirements
of 9.1.
5.3.1.6 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead
5.3 Driving Means and Sheaves sheaves, and deflecting sheaves used with suspension and
The driving means shall be one of the following: compensating ropes shall be of metal, be provided with
(a) winding drum finished grooves for ropes or shall be permitted to be lined

(b) traction with nonmetallic groove material, and have a pitch
(c) roped sprocket diameter of not less than 30 times the diameter of the
(d) chain sprocket suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel rope or 7 × 19
(e) screw steel aircraft cable is used, however, the pitch diameter
(f) rack and pinion of the drums and sheaves shall be permitted to be reduced
(g) direct-plunger hydraulic to 21 times the diameter of the rope or cable.
(h) roped-hydraulic Where the grooves are used to transmit power, suffi-
(i) lever hydraulic cient traction shall be provided between the rope and
(j) lever screw groove, and in the event of nonmetallic lining failure,
(k) friction between the rope and the remaining sheave groove, to
Driving means using a combination of two or more safely stop and hold the platform with 125% of the
means shall conform to all applicable requirements of rated load.
the respective means unless stated otherwise. 5.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger
5.3.1 General Requirements hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform
to the requirements of 8.1 except 8.1.2.
5.3.1.1 The factor of safety, based on the static load Roped-hydraulic machines shall also conform to the re-
(the rated load plus the weight of the platform, ropes, quirements of 8.1 except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4.3, and
counterweights, etc.), to be used in the design of 8.1.4.7.
driving machines and sheaves, including fasteners trans-
mitting load, shall be not less than 8 for steel, bronze, or 5.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used,
other metals having an elongation of at least 14% in a shall conform to 8.2.
length of 50 mm (2 in.) or 10 for cast iron or other 5.3.4 Friction Machines. Friction machines, where
metals having an elongation of less than 14% in a used, shall conform to 8.3.
38
ASME A18.1-2020
5.3.5 Machine Framework and Base. The machine sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set
framework, base, and fastenings to the buildings, forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME
where used, shall be of metal construction, have a B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are
factor of safety of not less than 5 based on the rated not permitted.
load, and shall be secured in place with support provided Sprockets in a chain-drive set and also a driven set shall
to limit their deflections to 6 mm (0.25 in.) maximum in be assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line
any direction under rated load. Cast iron shall not be used. after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all
chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed
5.3.6 Guiding Member Enclosures. The guiding
in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt
members shall be enclosed with a solid enclosure to
in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain
prevent accidental contact. If openings are necessary in
sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the
this enclosure for operation, they shall reject a ball 20
platform, which is the full load in the platform at rest and at
mm (0.75 in.) in diameter.
a position in the runway that creates the greatest load,
5.3.7 Machinery Beams and Supports including either the platform or counterweight resting
on its buffer.
5.3.7.1 All machinery and sheaves shall be so Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect
supported and secured to prevent any part becoming against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects
loose or displaced. Beams directly supporting machinery from interfering with drives.
shall be of steel or reinforced concrete.
5.3.9.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or
5.3.7.2 Overhead beams and sheaves shall be chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken
designed for not less than the total load on overhead belt or chain device that shall function to automatically
beams, which shall be assumed to be equal to the interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if
weight of all apparatus resting on the beams plus any belt or chain in the set breaks or becomes excessively
twice the maximum load suspended from the beams. slack. The driving-machine brake shall be located on the
The load resting on the beams shall include the complete traction sheave or drum assembly side of the driving
weights of the driving machine, sheaves, controller, etc. machine so as to be fully effective if the entire belt set
The load suspended from the beams shall include the or chain set should break.
sum of the tensions in all ropes suspended from the beams.
5.3.9.3 Replacement of Belts or Chains. If one belt or
5.3.7.3 The driving machine or sheaves, except chain of a set is worn, stretched, or damaged so as to
idlers or deflecting sheaves with their guards and require replacement, the entire set shall be replaced.
frames, shall not be fastened to the underside of the Sprockets and toothed sheaves shall also be replaced if
supporting beams at the top of the runway. worn.

5.3.7.4 Cast iron in tension shall not be used for
supporting members for sheaves where they are hung 5.4 Driving-Machine Brakes
beneath beams. 5.4.1 Driving machines, except hydraulic, shall be
ð20Þ 5.3.8 Guarding of Driving Machines and Suspension equipped with friction brakes directly attached to the
Means. The driving machine and suspension means shall driving means through a continuous shaft, mechanical
be enclosed with a solid enclosure. Any opening required coupling, or toothed gearing applied by springs, or by
for operation shall reject a ball 20 mm (0.75 in.) in gravity, and released electrically.
diameter. Access shall be provided by a removable 5.4.2 A single ground or short circuit, a counter-
panel for inspecting and servicing. The panel shall be voltage, or a motor-field discharge shall not prevent
secured in place using tamper-resistant fasteners or the brake magnet from allowing the brake to set when
other tamper-resistant means. the operating device is placed in the stop position.
5.3.9 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive 5.4.3 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking
machines, using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing
drive chains, shall conform to the requirements of that will stop and hold the platform with the rated load
5.3.9.1 through 5.3.9.3, except that the requirements of within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power is
5.3.9.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self- removed is provided.
locking drive meeting the requirements of 5.4.3 is
provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they 5.5 Suspension and Support Means
5.5.1 General Requirements
5.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one
or more of the following:
39
ASME A18.1-2020
(a) steel or iron wire rope chain or sprocket is replaced due to wear, all chains and
(b) steel aircraft cable sprockets shall be replaced.
(c) chain
5.5.7 Fastening of Rope Suspension Means to Plat-
(d) hydraulic
(e) rack and pinion
in a return loop by properly made individual tapered
(f) screw
babbitted sockets or properly attached fittings as recom-
(g) friction machine guides and rollers
mended by wire rope manufacturers. Clips of the U-bolt
(h) lever
type shall not be used. Tapered babbitted rope sockets and
Suspension and support means using a combination of
the method of babbitting shall conform to the require-
two or more means shall conform to all applicable require-
ments of 9.8.
ments of the respective means unless stated otherwise.
5.5.8 Guarding. All suspension means shall be guarded
against accidental contact. Suspension means that operate
used as suspension means.
within a guide or track and travel at the same speed and in
5.5.1.3 Where ropes or chains are used, no fewer the same direction as the platform shall be considered
than two shall be provided. suitably guarded.
5.5.1.4 For rated loads up to 230 kg (500 lb), ropes 5.6 Platforms
shall have a minimum diameter of 6 mm (0.25 in.) and
chains shall have a minimum pitch of 12 mm (0.5 in.). 5.6.1 Frame and Floor. The frame shall be of metal
For higher rated loads, ropes shall have a minimum construction and have a factor of safety of not less
diameter of 10 mm (0.375 in.) and chains shall have a than 5 based on the rated load. The floor shall be of
minimum pitch of 15 mm (0.625 in.). metal or wood construction with a nonskid surface.
5.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support 5.6.2 Securing of Enclosures. The enclosure shall be
means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based securely fastened to the floor and so supported that it
on the tension or forces exerted on the suspension means cannot loosen or become displaced in ordinary service,
when raising the rated load. When the platform and coun- on the application of the platform safety, or on buffer
terweight are suspended by steel ropes and the driving engagement.
means between the machine and the counterweight is The platform enclosure shall be so constructed that
an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety of removable portions cannot be dismantled from within
such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated the platform. Enclosure linings, decorative panels, light
load. See section 8 for special requirements for particular fixtures, and other apparatus or equipment attached to
drive means. the enclosure shall be securely fastened and so supported

that they will not loosen or become displaced in ordinary
5.5.3 Arc of Contact of Suspension Means on Sheaves service, on platform safety application, or on buffer
and Sprockets. The arc of contact of a wire rope on a trac- engagement.
tion sheave shall be sufficient to produce adequate trac- Panels attached to the enclosure for decorative or other
tion under all load conditions. The arc of contact of a chain purposes shall not be unfastened from inside the platform
on a driving sprocket shall be not less than 140 deg. by the use of common tools or shall be permitted to be
5.5.4 Spare Rope Turns on Winding Drums. All wire removed from inside the platform when perforations,
ropes of winding drum machines shall have not less than exceeding that which would reject a ball 12 mm (0.5
one full turn of the rope on the drum when the platform or in.) in diameter, in the enclosure used for panel
counterweight has reached its limit of possible overtravel. hanging or support have permanent means to prevent
straight-through passage beyond the running clearance.
5.5.5 Securing Suspension Ropes to Winding Drums.
The drum ends of wire ropes shall be secured on the inside 5.6.3 Strength and Deflection of Enclosure Walls. The ð20Þ
of the drum of winding drum machines by clamps, tapered enclosure walls shall be designed and installed to with-
babbitted sockets, or other means approved by the stand a force of 330 N (75 lbf) applied horizontally at any
authority having jurisdiction. point on the walls of the enclosure without permanent
deformation or causing the deflection to exceed 25 mm
5.5.6 Lengthening, Splicing, Repairing, or Replacing (1 in.).
Suspension Means. Suspension wire rope shall not be
lengthened or repaired by splicing. Broken or worn 5.6.4 Use of Cast Iron. Cast iron shall not be used in the
suspension chains shall not be repaired. If one rope or construction of any load-bearing member of the platform
chain of a set is worn or damaged and requires replace- frame or floor other than for guide shoes and guide-shoe
ment, the entire set of ropes or chains shall be replaced. If a brackets.
40
ASME A18.1-2020
5.6.5 Floor Size. The inside net floor area shall not The capability of the alternate safety devices to function
exceed 1.7 m2 (18 ft2). as required shall be verified by engineering tests as
described in 9.6.
5.6.6 Illumination. The minimum illumination at the
landing edge of the floor with the landing door open shall 5.8.2 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of
be not less than 50 lx (5 fc). Safety Parts and Rope Connections
5.7 Capacity, Speed, and Travel 5.8.2.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope
5.7.1 Limitation of Load, Speed, and Travel. The rated safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than
load shall be not less than 200 kg (450 lb) nor more than 3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the
340 kg (750 lb). Platforms with floor area greater than 1.4 materials used shall have an elongation of not less than
m2 (15 ft2) shall have a rated load of not less than 340 kg 15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded
(750 lb). The lift shall be capable of sustaining and parts shall be stress relieved.
lowering a load as specified in Figure 9.7.
The rated speed shall not exceed 0.15 m/s (30 ft/min). 5.8.2.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the
The travel shall not exceed 4 250 mm (168 in.). operation of platform or counterweight safeties. Where
5.7.2 Capacity Plates. A capacity plate stating the tion, the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber
rated load shall be provided by the manufacturer and stress exceeding one-half the elastic limit of the material.
fastened in a conspicuous place. The letters and numerals During operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall not
used shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height. exceed 85% of the elastic limit of the material. Helical
5.7.3 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the springs, where used, shall be in compression.
manufacturer and securely fastened to the machine. The 5.8.2.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and
plate shall state the rated speed, rated load, weight of plat- their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be
form, suspension and support means, date of manufacture, permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals,
and manufacturer’s name. Letters and numerals shall be provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less
not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height. than 10.
5.8 Safeties and Speed Governors 5.8.2.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to
All platforms shall be provided with a safety, except as
rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) in
permitted by 5.8.8. The safety shall be actuated by the
diameter and shall be made of corrosion-resistant
action of a speed governor or by the breakage or slack-
metal. The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less
ening of the suspension or support means. Where actua-

than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be used.
tion is by a governor, the safety shall be set at a maximum
speed of 0.4 m/s (75 ft/min). Where actuation is by 5.8.2.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the
breakage or slackening of the suspension or support maximum stresses developed in the parts during the
means, the safety shall be set without delay and indepen- operation of the safety when stopping the rated load
dent of the speed governor, if provided. When screw drive from the governor tripping speed.
machines are used, safeties and speed governors
5.8.2.6 Safety-rope leading-sheave brackets and
conforming to 5.8.1 shall be permitted. Safety parts
shall conform to the requirements of 5.8.2. Governor
supported by wood platform members.
ropes, where provided, shall conform to the requirements
of 5.8.3. Where hoisting ropes are used, the application of 5.8.3 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes
safeties shall conform to the requirements of 5.8.4. The shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze, or
application and release of safeties shall conform to the stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-lay construction,
requirements of 5.8.5 through 5.8.7. and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter. The factor of
safety of governor ropes shall be not less than 5. Tiller-
5.8.1 Screw Drive Alternate Safety. The platform
rope construction shall not be used.
safety and governor shall be permitted to be omitted if
another safety device is provided to either limit the 5.8.4 Type A (Instantaneous) Safeties. When over-
down speed of the platform with rated load to not speed occurs, with the hoisting rope intact, such safeties
exceed 0.9 m/s (175 ft/min) in the event of failure of shall be actuated by the governor. On the parting of the
the driving means or to limit the fall of the platform in hoisting ropes (free fall), Type A governor-operated safe-
the event of failure of the driving nut to a distance not ties shall apply without appreciable delay, and their appli-
exceeding 12 mm (0.5 in.), by using a safety nut or cation shall be independent of the speed action of the
other equivalent means. governor and of the location of the break in the hoisting
ropes (inertia application), and shall be permitted to be
41
ASME A18.1-2020
accomplished by the use of a governor and governor the platform after it travels past the normal terminal stop-
rigging having a sufficiently high value of inertia to ping device and before striking an obstruction. A slack-
apply the safety on free fall independently of the speed rope device equipped with a slack-rope switch of the
action of the governor. enclosed manually reset type, which shall cause the elec-
tric power to be removed from the driving-machine motor
5.8.5 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied
and brake if any hoisting rope becomes slack, shall be
permitted to be used as the lower final terminal stopping
shall not be used to apply the safeties required by
device.
section 5, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted posi-
tion. 5.9.4 Final terminal stopping devices shall be
mechanically operated. The switch contacts shall be
ð20Þ 5.8.6 Level of Platform on Safety Application. The
directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that
application of a Type A safety to stop the platform,
depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination
with its rated load centered on each quarter of the plat-
form floor symmetrically with relation to the centerline of
the platform floor, shall not cause the platform to be out of 5.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not ð20Þ
level more than 30 mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direction. control the same controller switches as the normal term-
inal stopping devices unless two or more separate and
5.8.7 Release. When platform safeties are applied, no
independent switches are provided, two of which shall
decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of the
be closed to complete the driving-machine motor-and-
platform in the down direction shall release the safeties,
but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by the
motion of the platform in the up direction.
5.8.8 Platform Safety Exceptions. Platform safeties type.
are not required for lifts with the following driving means: The control shall be so designed and installed that a
(a) direct-plunger hydraulic single ground or short circuit shall be permitted to
(b) other drives that do not use a flexible suspension allow either, but not prevent both, of the normal and
means, provided that the failure of a single drive compo- final stopping device circuits from stopping the platform.
nent cannot result in the platform overspeeding or the
floor going out of level more than 30 mm/m (0.375
in./ft) in any direction, and said failure would cause
the platform to stop by application of a safety switch
or equivalent means
of the platform (e.g., a platform at rest on the bottom term-

5.9 Terminal Stopping Devices inal landing).
5.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by 5.9.7 A lower normal terminal stopping device is not
5.9.2 shall use mechanically operated, magnetically oper- required for direct-plunger driving machines where the
ated, optical, or static-type switches. platform rests on a physical stop at the bottom terminal
Final terminal stopping devices required by 5.9.3 shall landing and where the platform floor stops within a toler-
use only mechanically operated switches for determining ance of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the lower landing under rated
platform position. Terminal stopping devices that are loading to zero loading conditions.
located on the platform or in the runway shall be of
5.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment
the enclosed type and securely mounted in such a
manner that horizontal movement of the platform shall 5.10.1 Operation. Operation of the lift from the land- ð20Þ
not affect the operation of the device. ings and from the platform shall be controlled by control
5.9.2 Except as specified in 5.9.7, normal stopping
continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be 1 220 mm
devices operated by the platform shall be provided,
(48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15 in.) minimum
and shall be set to stop the platform floor within a toler-
above the platform floor or facility floor or ground
ance of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the landings under rated loading
level or made accessible to the user. Operating devices
to zero loading conditions. The normal stopping devices
shall be designed so that both the “UP” and “DOWN”
shall be permitted to also serve as the upper and lower
circuits cannot be operated at the same time.
normal terminal stopping devices.
5.10.2 Attendant Operation. Attendant operation shall
be permitted to be provided. Where provided, it shall
operated by the platform shall be provided to remove
conform to the requirements of paras 5.10.2.1 and
power from the motor and the brake, if provided,
5.10.2.2.
except as specified in 5.9.6. They shall be set to stop
42
ASME A18.1-2020
5.10.2.1 The attendant shall operate the lift by means opened mechanically and their opening shall not be solely
of a continuous-pressure control located at the lower dependent on springs. An emergency stop switch shall not
landing. The control shall be so located that the attendant be provided on any landing control except as required by
has full view of the floor area under the lift. A manually 5.10.2.1.
reset emergency stop switch shall also be provided at that
5.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for
location.
Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines.
5.10.2.2 No controls, other than an emergency stop Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
switch, shall be provided on the platform. shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually
5.10.3 Control and Operating Circuit Requirements.
brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
The design and installation of the control and operating
the suspension ropes slacken. Lifts with roller-chain
circuits shall conform to the requirements of 5.10.3.1
suspension means shall be provided with a slack-chain
through 5.10.3.3.
device that will remove power from the motor and
5.10.3.1 Control systems that depend on the comple- brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and
tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used the suspension means slacken. This device is not required
for interruption of the power and application of the to be of the manually reset type if the chain sprockets are
machine brake at terminal landings or for stopping the guarded to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged
machine when the safety applies. from the sprockets.
5.10.3.2 If springs are used to actuate switches, 5.10.8 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electronically
at the terminal landings, they shall be of the restrained released until power has been applied to the driving-
compression type. machine motor. All power feed lines to the brake shall
5.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper-
ated switch, relay, or contactor to release in the intended
“STOP” position and when any electrical protective
manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate
device functions.
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not 5.10.9 Electrical Equipment and Wiring
any electrical protective device. 5.10.9.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall
5.10.4 Motor Reversal Protection. Where a non-
instantaneous reversible motor is used, a protective 5.10.9.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the

circuit or device shall be provided to prevent the requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever- 5.10.10 Emergency Operations. Means shall be ð20Þ
sing control is activated. provided to raise or lower the platform manually. This
5.10.5 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Lifts means shall only be accessible to lift personnel, emergency
having polyphase alternating-current power supply personnel, or authorized personnel. The means to raise or
shall be provided with means to prevent the starting lower the platform shall be capable of moving the platform
of the lift motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direc- to a landing and of being accessed and operated without
tion, or if there is a failure of any phase. This protection working directly above the platform.
shall be considered to be provided if a reversal of phase of 5.10.10.1 The means to manually raise or lower the
the incoming polyphase alternating-current power will lift shall provide for controlled ascent or descent no faster
not cause the driving-machine motor to operate in the than the rated speed and shall be permitted to override
wrong direction. operating devices and control equipment. The means shall
5.10.6 Emergency Stop Switch. An emergency stop be permitted to be
switch shall be provided in the platform, and located (a) an independent battery-operated system to manu-
in or adjacent to each platform operating panel. When ally raise or lower the lift
opened, this switch shall cause the electric power to (b) a manual pump, lowering valve, or cable release
be removed from the driving-machine motor and brake. device where a hydraulic drive system is used, or
Emergency stop switches shall be of the manually (c) other suitable means
opened and closed type and have red operating 5.10.10.2 If an opening in the runway is required to
handles or buttons. They shall be conspicuously and access the means to manually raise or lower the platform,
permanently marked “STOP” and shall indicate the it shall be
“STOP” and “RUN” positions. Switches shall be positively (a) located to permit the required access.
43
ASME A18.1-2020
(b) a maximum width of 300 mm (12 in.) and a 6.1.4 Structural Support. The structure on which the
maximum height of 300 mm (12 in.). The opening size equipment is installed shall be capable of safely
shall be permitted to be increased, provided that any supporting the loads imposed.
resultant opening into the runway shall reject a 300
mm (12 in.) ball. 6.1.5 Electrical Equipment and Wiring
(c) provided with a door that shall be kept closed and 6.1.5.1 The installation of electrical equipment and
locked. Keys to unlock the access door to the lift runway wiring shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 70.
shall be available only to lift personnel, emergency per-
sonnel, or other authorized personnel. 6.1.5.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the
(d) attached so that it cannot fall when opened and shall requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5.
not open into the runway.
(e) monitored so that the lift cannot be put back into 6.2 Guide Rails and Tracks
normal operation without being in its closed and locked 6.2.1 Material. Platform guide rails shall be of metal
position. construction. Steel construction shall conform to the re-
quirements of 6.2.1.1. Metals other than steel shall
5.11 Code Data Plate conform to the requirements of 6.2.1.2. Guide-rail surfaces
A code data plate shall be provided that indicates the shall conform to the requirements of 6.2.1.3.
A18.1 Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The 6.2.1.1 Requirements for Steel, Where Used. Rails,
data plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the brackets, fishplates, and rail clips shall be made of
main line disconnect or on the controller. The data plate open-hearth steel or its equivalent having a tensile
shall be of such material and construction that the letters strength of not less than 380 MPa (55,000 psi) and
and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise applied to having an elongation of not less than 22% in a length
the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The of 50 mm (2 in.). Bolts shall conform to ASTM A307.
height of the letters and figures shall be not less than 3 mm Rivets shall conform to ASTM A502.
(0.125 in.).
6.2.1.2 Requirements for Metals Other Than Steel. ð20Þ
ð20Þ 5.12 Standby Emergency Power Metals other than steel shall be permitted to be used,
provided the factor of safety is not less than, and the
Lifts shall be permitted to have standby emergency deflections are not more than, the values specified in
power to raise or lower the lift in the event of a main section 6, and cast iron is not used.
power failure.
6.2.1.3 Guide-Rail Surfaces. Guide-rail surfaces used
6 PRIVATE RESIDENCE INCLINED PLATFORM for guiding a platform or counterweight shall be suffi-

LIFTS6 ciently smooth and true to operate properly with the
guiding members. Those surfaces that the platform or
Section 6 applies to inclined platform lifts where counterweight safeties engage shall be smooth and
installed in or at a private residence for use by the mobility true within the tolerances required to ensure proper
impaired. safety application without excessive retardation or exces-
sive out-of-level platform conditions resulting.
6.1 Runways
6.2.2 Location. The top and bottom ends of each run of
6.1.1 Clearances. Clearances between the platform guide rails shall be so located in relation to the extreme
and adjacent surfaces shall be not less than 20 mm positions of travel of the platform that the platform
(0.75 in.). At no point in its travel shall the edge of the guiding members cannot travel beyond the ends of the
platform facing the upper landing be more than 600 guide rails.
mm (24 in.) above a step or landing as measured vertically.
6.2.3 Stresses and Deflections. The stresses and
6.1.2 Pits and Ramps. A pit, floor-mounted ramp, or deflections in the guide rails and their brackets shall
retractable platform-mounted ramp shall be provided. conform to the requirements of 6.2.3.1 and 6.2.3.2.
Floor-mounted ramps shall comply with the requirements
of 3.1.4.1. Retractable ramps shall conform to the require- 6.2.3.1 Guide Rails. For steels conforming to the re-
ments of 6.6.6. quirements of 6.2.1, the stresses in a guide rail or in the rail
and its reinforcement, due to the horizontal forces
6.1.3 Pipes in Runway Vicinity. Pipes conveying steam, imposed on the rail during loading, unloading, or
gas, or liquid that, if discharged into the runway, would running, calculated without impact, shall not exceed
endanger life or health shall not be permitted. 100 MPa (15,000 psi) and the deflection shall not
exceed 6 mm (0.25 in.).
6
locations other than in or at a private residence.
44
ASME A18.1-2020
Where steels of greater strength than those specified in Shafts that support drums, sheaves, gears, couplings,
6.2.1.1 are used, the stresses specified shall be permitted and other members, and that transmit torque, shall be
to be increased proportionately based on the ratio of the provided with tight-fitting keys.
ultimate strengths.
6.3.1.3 Friction gearing, clutch mechanisms, or
6.2.3.2 Brackets, Fastening, and Supports. The couplings shall not be used to connect a driving-
guide-rail brackets, their fastenings, and supports, such machine drum or sheave to the main driving mechanism.
as building beams and walls, shall be capable of resisting
6.3.1.4 Gearing having cast iron teeth shall not be
the horizontal forces imposed with a total deflection at the
used on the driving machine.
point of support not in excess of 3 mm (0.125 in.).
6.2.4 Factor of Safety. The factor of safety used in the
design of guide rails shall be not less than 5, based on rated
load.
6.3.1.6 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead
6.2.5 Anchoring. The supporting tracks or guide rails
sheaves, and deflecting sheaves shall be of cast iron or
shall be securely anchored to the stairs, floor surface, or
steel, of a pitch diameter of not less than 30 times the
sidewalls.
diameter of the suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel
6.3 Driving Means and Sheaves rope or 7 × 19 steel aircraft cable is used, the pitch
diameter of drums and sheaves shall be permitted to
The driving means shall be one of the following: be reduced to 21 times the diameter of the rope or
(a) winding drum cable. The rope grooves shall be machined.
(b) traction
(c) roped sprocket 6.3.1.7 Guarding of Driving Machines. The driving ð20Þ
(d) chain sprocket machine shall be guarded to prevent accidental
(e) screw contact. Any opening required for operation shall
(f) rack and pinion reject a ball 20 mm (0.75 in.) in diameter. Access shall
(g) direct-plunger hydraulic be provided for inspecting and servicing. Any guard(s)
(h) roped-hydraulic required to be removed for inspecting and servicing
(i) lever hydraulic shall be secured in place using tamper-resistant fasteners
(j) lever screw or other tamper-resistant means.
(k) friction 6.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger
6.3.1 General Requirements hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform
to the requirements of 8.1 except 8.1.2.

6.3.1.1 The factors of safety, based on the static load Roped-hydraulic machines shall conform to the re-
(the rated load plus the weight of the platform, ropes, quirements of 8.1, except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4.3, and
counterweights, etc.) to be used in the design of 8.1.4.7.
driving machines and sheaves shall be not less than 8
for steel, bronze, or other metals having an elongation 6.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used,
of at least 14% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.) or 10 for shall conform to 8.2.
cast iron or other metals having an elongation of less 6.3.4 Friction Machines. Friction machines, where
than 14% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). See section 8 used, shall conform to 8.3.
for special requirements for particular drive systems.
6.3.5 Location of Power Unit and Alignment and ð20Þ
6.3.1.2 Set screws or threaded portions located in Guarding of Sheaves and Sprockets. The power unit
the shear plane of bolts and screws shall not be used shall be permitted to be mounted on the platform or
to transmit load. placed at a remote location. If the power unit is remotely
Means shall be provided to ensure that there is no rela- located, all intervening sheaves and sprockets shall be so
tive motion between rigidly joined components transmit- placed that the rope or chain travels in the proper align-
ting load. ment. All sheaves and sprockets shall be enclosed or
Where flexible couplings are used to transmit load, guarded.
means shall be provided to prevent disengagement of
the coupling components in the event of failure or exces- 6.3.6 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive
sive motion in the flexible connection. machines, using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or
A fillet shall be provided at any point of change in the drive chains, shall conform to the requirements of
diameter of driving-machine shafts and sheave shafts to 6.3.6.1 and 6.3.6.2, except that the requirements of
prevent excessive stress concentrations in the shafts. 6.3.6.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self-
locking drive meeting the requirements of 6.4.2 is
45
ASME A18.1-2020
provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they (c) roller chain
shall be preloaded and matched for length in sets. (d) direct-plunger hydraulic
(e) roped-hydraulic
(f) rack and pinion
(g) screw
(h) friction machine guides and rollers
sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set
forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME 6.5.1.2 Steel tapes or welded link chains shall not be
B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are used as suspension means.
not permitted.
6.5.1.3 Where wire ropes are used, the diameter
Sprockets in a chain-drive set and also a driven set shall
shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.).
be assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line
after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all 6.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support
chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based
in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt on the tension in the rope, cable, chain, or forces exerted
in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain on the hydraulic cylinder, screw drive, or rack and pinion
sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the when raising the rated load. When the platform and coun-
platform, which is the full load in the platform at rest and at terweight are suspended by steel ropes and the driving
a position in the runway that creates the greatest load, means between the machine and the counterweight is
including either the platform or counterweight resting an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety of
on its buffer. such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated
Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect load. See section 8 for special requirements of particular
against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects drive systems.
6.5.3 Arc of Contact of Suspension Means on Sheaves
6.3.6.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or and Sprockets. The arc of contact of a wire rope on a trac-
chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken tion sheave shall be sufficient to produce adequate trac-
belt or chain device that shall function to automatically tion under all load conditions. The arc of contact of a chain
interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if on a driving sprocket shall be not less than 140 deg.
6.5.4 Spare Rope Turns on Winding Drums. All wire
ropes of winding drum machines shall have not less than
one full turn of the rope on the drum when the platform or
machine so as to be fully effective if the entire belt set
counterweight has reached its limit of possible overtravel.
or chain set should break.

6.5.5 Securing Suspension Ropes to Winding Drums.
6.4 Driving-Machine Brakes The drum ends of wire ropes shall be secured by clamps on
6.4.1 Driving machines, except hydraulic, shall be the inside of the drum of winding drum machines, by
equipped with electrically released spring-applied tapered babbitted sockets, or by other means approved
brakes directly attached to the driving means through by the authority having jurisdiction.
a continuous shaft, mechanical coupling, or toothed 6.5.6 Lengthening, Splicing, Repairing, or Replacing
gearing. A single ground or short circuit, a countervoltage, Suspension Means. Suspension wire ropes shall not be
or a motor-field discharge shall not prevent the brake lengthened or repaired by splicing. Broken or worn
magnet from allowing the brake to set when the operating suspension chains shall not be repaired. If one rope or
device is placed in the stop position. chain of a set is worn or damaged and requires replace-
6.4.2 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking ment, the entire set of ropes or chains shall be replaced. If a
drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing chain or sprocket is replaced due to wear, all chains and
that will stop and hold the platform with the rated load sprockets shall be replaced.
within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power is 6.5.7 Fastening of Rope Suspension Means to Plat-
removed is provided. form. The platform ends of wire ropes shall be fastened
in a return loop by properly made individual tapered
6.5 Suspension and Support Means babbitted sockets or properly attached fittings as recom-
6.5.1 General Requirements mended by wire rope manufacturers. Clips of the U-bolt
type shall not be used. Tapered babbitted rope sockets and
6.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one the method of babbitting shall conform to the require-
of the following: ments of 9.8.
(a) steel or iron wire rope
(b) steel aircraft cable
46
ASME A18.1-2020
6.5.8 Guarding. All moving suspension means shall be 6.6.4.3 Glass greater than 0.1 m2 (1 ft2) in area and ð20Þ
guarded against accidental contact. Suspension means abutting panels whose total area is greater than 0.1 m2 (1
that operate within a guide or track and travel at the ft2) shall be laminated glass as defined by ANSI Z97.1 or 16
same speed and in the same direction as the platform CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.2 or shall be glass bonded to
shall be considered suitably guarded. a nonpolymeric coating, sheeting, or film backing having
the physical integrity to hold the fragments if the glass
6.6 Platforms breaks. Glass shall be tested and conform to the accep-
6.6.1 Frame and Floor. The frame shall be of metal tance criteria for laminated glass as specified in ANSI
construction and have a factor of safety of not less Z97.1 or 16 CFR, Part 1201, Section 1201.4. The glass
than 5 based on the rated load. The floor shall be of shall be marked as required by ANSI Z97.1 or 16 CFR,
metal or wood construction with a nonskid surface. Part 1201, Section 1201.5.
6.6.1.1 Securing of Enclosures. The enclosure shall 6.6.4.4 Markings as specified in ANSI Z97.1 shall be
be securely fastened to the platform and so supported that on each separate piece of glass, and shall remain visible
it cannot loosen or become displaced in ordinary service, after installation.
on the application of the platform safety, or on buffer 6.6.5 Platform Truck and Guides. The platform shall
engagement. be securely anchored to a truck that supports it. The truck
The enclosure shall be so constructed that removable shall be retained in a track or on a guide-rail assembly.
portions cannot be dismantled from within the platform.
Enclosure linings, decorative panels, light fixtures, and 6.6.6 Platform Guarding. A retractable metal guard at
other apparatus or equipment attached within the enclo- least 150 mm (6 in.) high shall be provided on the lower
sure shall be securely fastened and so supported that they access end of the platform to prevent the wheelchair from
will not loosen or become displaced in ordinary service, on rolling off that end of the platform. It shall be automatically
platform safety application, or on buffer engagement. actuated or manually activated and shall remain in its
Panels attached to the enclosure for decorative or other elevated position until the platform returns to the
purposes shall not be unfastened from inside the platform landing. It shall be operated by a positive cam action
by the use of common tools or shall be permitted to be or it shall be provided with an electric contact that
removed from inside the platform when perforations, will stop the movement of the platform within 150
exceeding that which would reject a ball 12 mm (0.5 mm (6 in.) of travel away from the lower landing if
in.) in diameter, in the enclosure used for panel the guard has failed to rise to its guarding position.
hanging or support have permanent means to prevent A retractable platform mounted ramp shall be
straight-through passage beyond the running clearance. permitted to be used in lieu of the retractable platform
guard. Guards of at least 150 mm (6 in.) in height shall

6.6.1.2 Strength and Deflection of Enclosure Walls. be provided on the sides of the platform not used for
The enclosure walls shall be designed and installed to access. Guards and ramps, in their guarding position,
withstand a force of 330 N (75 lbf) applied horizontally shall withstand, without permanent deformation, a
at any point on the walls of the enclosure without perma- force of 550 N (125 lbf) applied on any 100 mm × 100
nent deformation or cause the deflection to exceed 25 mm mm (4 in. × 4 in.) area. This force shall not cause the
(1 in.). height of the ramp, at any point in its length, to be less
6.6.2 Floor Area. The inside net floor area shall not than 150 mm (6 in.) measured vertically from the
exceed 1.7 m2 (18 ft2). surface of the platform floor.
Means shall be provided to prevent the wheelchair from
6.6.3 Material. Metals having an elongation of less rolling off the platform floor at the upper access end.
than 20% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.) shall not be Retractable ramps are permitted to serve this function,
used in the construction of any member of the frame and when in use, the incline of the ramp shall not be
or floor. greater than
6.6.4 Glass on Platforms. Glass shall be permitted to (a) 1 in 4 for heights up to 50 mm (2 in.)
be used on platforms subject to the requirements of 6.6.4.1 (b) 1 in 6 for heights up to 60 mm (2.5 in.)
through 6.6.4.4. (c) 1 in 8 for heights up to 75 mm (3 in.)
(d) 1 in 10 for heights up to 100 mm (4 in.)
6.6.4.1 It shall be installed and guarded so as to (e) 1 in 12 for heights greater than 100 mm (4 in.)
provide adequate protection for passengers in case the
glass panels break or are dislodged. 6.6.7 Seats. A lift shall be permitted to be provided
with a folding seat and seat belt to accommodate a
6.6.4.2 It shall be so mounted in the structure so that person not in a wheelchair.
the structure, including the glass in place, shall withstand
the required lift tests without damage.
47
ASME A18.1-2020
6.6.8 Obstruction Devices. The entire underside and materials used shall have an elongation of not less than
the edges of the platform floor facing the upper and lower 15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded
landings shall be equipped with a device that will stop the parts shall be stress relieved.
platform traveling within a distance of 50 mm (2 in.) or
6.8.1.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the ð20Þ
less if it is obstructed in its travel in either direction. The
operation of platform or counterweight safeties. Where
force required to operate the device shall not exceed 70 N
(15 lbf).
tion, the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber
6.7 Capacity, Load, and Speed stress exceeding one-half the elastic limit of the material.
During operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall not
6.7.1 Limitations of Capacity, Load, and Speed. The exceed 85% of the elastic limit of the material. Helical
capacity shall be one person. The rated load shall be springs, where used, shall be in compression.
not less than 200 kg (450 lb) and not greater than 340
kg (750 lb). Platforms with a floor area greater than 6.8.1.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and
1.4 m2 (15 ft2) shall have a rated load of 340 kg (750 their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be
lb). The lift shall be capable of sustaining and lowering permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals,
a load as specified in Figure 9.7. The rated speed measured provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less
along the incline shall not exceed 0.15 m/s (30 ft/min). than 10.
6.7.2 Capacity Plate. A capacity plate stating the ca- 6.8.1.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to
pacity and rated load shall be furnished by the manufac- the governor rope, including rope wound on the safety-
turer and fastened in a conspicuous place on the device. rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) in
Letters and numbers shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) diameter and shall be made of a corrosion-resistant
in height. metal. The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less
than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be used.
6.7.3 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the
manufacturer and securely fastened in a conspicuous 6.8.1.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the
place. The plate shall state the rated speed, rated load, maximum stresses developed in the parts during the
weight of platform, suspension or support means, date operation of the safety when stopping the rated load
of manufacture, and manufacturer’s name. Letters and from the governor tripping speed.
numerals shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height. 6.8.1.6 Safety-rope leading-sheave brackets and
6.8 Safeties and Governors supported by wood members.
All platforms shall be provided with a safety, except for 6.8.2 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes

platforms of direct-plunger hydraulic lifts or self-locking shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze, or
drives using a lead screw or other positive gearing that will stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-lay construction,
stop and hold the carriage with rated load within 100 mm and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter. The factor of
(4 in.) of down travel after power is removed. safety of governor ropes shall be not less than 5. Tiller-
The safety shall be actuated by the action of a speed rope construction shall not be used.
governor or by the breakage or slackening of the suspen-
sion or support means. Where actuation is by a governor, 6.8.3 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied
the safety shall be set at a maximum speed of 0.4 m/s (75 mechanically. Electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices
ft/min). Where actuation is by breakage or slacking of the shall not be used to apply the safeties required by
suspension or support means, the safety shall be set section 6, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted posi-
without delay, and independent of the speed governor, tion.
if provided. 6.8.4 Level of Platform on Safety Application. The ð20Þ
Safety parts shall conform to the requirements of 6.8.1. application of a Type A safety to stop the platform
Governor ropes, where provided, shall conform to the re- with its rated load centered on each quarter of the plat-
quirements of 6.8.2. form floor symmetrically with relation to the centerline of
The application and release of safeties shall conform to the platform floor shall not cause the platform floor to be
the requirements of 6.8.3 through 6.8.5. out of level more than 30 mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direc-
6.8.1 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of tion.
Safety Parts and Rope Connections 6.8.5 Release. When platform safeties are applied, no
6.8.1.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of the
drums, leading sheaves, and their supporting brackets and platform in the down direction shall release the safeties,
safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by the
3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the motion of the platform in the up direction.
48
ASME A18.1-2020
6.9 Terminal Stopping Devices 6.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment
6.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by 6.10.1 Operation. Operation of the chairlift from the ð20Þ
6.9.2 shall be permitted to use mechanically operated, landings and from the platform shall be controlled by
magnetically operated, optical, or static-type switches. control switches at all stations, and shall be by means
Final terminal stopping devices required by 6.9.3 shall of the continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be
use only mechanically operated switches for determining 1 220 mm (48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15 in.)
platform position. Terminal stopping devices that are minimum above the platform floor or facility floor or
located on the platform or in the runway shall be of ground level or made accessible to the user. Operating
the enclosed type and securely mounted in such a devices shall be designed so that both the “UP” and
manner so that horizontal movement of the platform “DOWN” circuits cannot be operated at the same time.
shall not affect the operation of the device.
6.10.2 Attendant Operation. Attendant operation shall
6.9.2 Upper and lower normal terminal stopping be permitted to be provided. Where provided, it shall
devices operated by the platform shall be provided, conform to the requirements of 6.10.2.1 through 6.10.2.3.
and shall be set to stop the platform within a tolerance
6.10.2.1 The attendant shall operate the lift by
of 12 mm (0.5 in.) of the upper and lower terminal landings
means of a continuous-pressure switch located on a
under rated loading to zero loading conditions.
control box on the free end of a detachable, flexible
6.9.3 Upper and lower final terminal stopping devices cord not more than 1 500 mm (60 in.) in length. A manually
operated by the platform to remove power from the motor reset emergency stop switch shall also be provided in the
and the brake shall be provided, except as specified in control box.
6.9.6. They shall be set to stop the platform after it
6.10.2.2 No controls, other than an emergency stop
travels past the normal terminal stopping device and
switch, shall be provided on the lift.
before striking an obstruction. A slack-rope device
equipped with a slack-rope switch of the enclosed manu- 6.10.2.3 Where the equipment operates on a straight
ally reset type that shall cause the electric power to be flight of stairs, and where the platform is within sight
removed from the driving-machine motor and brake if during its entire travel, provisions shall be permitted
any hoisting rope becomes slack shall be permitted to to be made for the attendant to operate the lift from
be used as the lower final terminal stopping device. the top or bottom of the stairs.
6.9.4 Final terminal stopping devices shall be 6.10.3 Control and Operating Circuit Requirements.
mechanically operated. The switch contacts shall be The design and installation of the control and operating
directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that circuits shall conform to the requirements of 6.10.3.1
depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination through 6.10.3.3.

6.10.3.1 Control systems that depend on the comple-
6.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used
control the same controller switches as the normal term- for interruption of the power and application of the
inal stopping devices unless two or more separate and machine brake at terminal landings or for stopping the
independent switches are provided, two of which shall machine when the safety applies.
be closed to complete the driving-machine motor-and-
6.10.3.2 If springs are used to actuate switches,
contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift
at the terminal landing, they shall be of the restrained
compression type.
type. The control shall be so designed and installed
that a single ground or short circuit shall be permitted 6.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper-
to allow either, but not prevent both, the normal and ated switch, relay, or contactor to release in the intended
final stopping device circuits from stopping the platform. manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not
of the platform (e.g., a platform at rest on the bottom term- 6.10.4 Motor Reversal Protection. Where a non-
inal landing). instantaneous reversible motor is used, a protective
circuit or device shall be provided to prevent the
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever-
sing control is activated.
49
ASME A18.1-2020
6.10.5 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Lifts 6.10.10 Emergency Operations. Means shall be ð20Þ
having polyphase alternating-current power supply provided to raise or lower the platform manually along
shall be provided with means to prevent the starting the path of travel. This means shall only be accessible
of the lift motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direc- to lift personnel, emergency personnel, or authorized per-
tion or if there is a failure of any phase. sonnel. The means to raise or lower the platform shall be
This protection shall be considered to be provided if a capable of moving the platform to a landing and of being
reversal of phase of the incoming polyphase alternating- accessed and operated without working directly above the
current power will not cause the driving-machine motor platform.
to operate in the wrong direction.
6.10.10.1 The means to manually raise or lower the
6.10.6 Electrical Equipment and Wiring lift shall provide for controlled ascent or descent not faster
than the rated speed and shall be permitted to override
6.10.6.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall operating devices and control equipment. The means shall
conform to the requirements of NFPA 70. be permitted to be
6.10.6.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to (a) an independent battery-operated system to manu-
the requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5. ally raise or lower the lift
(b) a manual pump, lowering valve, or cable release
6.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for device where a hydraulic drive system is used, or
Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines. (c) other suitable means
Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually 6.10.10.2 If an opening in the runway is required to
reset type that will remove power from the motor and access the means to manually raise or lower the platform,
brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and it shall be
the suspension ropes slacken. Lifts with roller chain (a) located to permit the required access.
suspension means shall be provided with a slack-chain (b) a maximum width of 300 mm (12 in.) and a
device, which will remove power from the motor and maximum height of 300 mm (12 in.). The opening size
brake if the platform is obstructed in its descent and shall be permitted to be increased, provided that any
the suspension means slacken. This device is not required resultant opening into the runway shall reject a 300
to be of the manually reset type if the chain sprockets are mm (12 in.) ball.
guarded to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged (c) provided with a door that shall be kept closed and
from the sprockets. locked. Keys to unlock the access door to the lift runway
shall be available only to lift personnel, emergency per-
6.10.8 Emergency Stop Switch. An emergency stop sonnel, or other authorized personnel.
switch shall be provided in the platform and located (d) attached so that it cannot fall when opened and shall

within reach of the passenger whether sitting in a wheel- not open into the runway.
chair or sitting on the folding seat and located 1 200 mm (e) monitored so that the lift cannot be put back into
(48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15 in.) minimum above normal operation without being in its closed and locked
the platform floor. position.
When opened, this switch shall cause the electric power
to be removed from the lift driving-machine motor and 6.11 Code Data Plate
brake. Emergency stop switches shall be of the manually
opened and closed type and have red operating handles or A code data plate shall be provided that indicates the
buttons. They shall be conspicuously and permanently A18.1 Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The
marked “STOP” and shall indicate the “STOP” and data plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the
“RUN” positions. Switches shall be positively opened main line disconnect or on the controller. The data plate
mechanically and their opening shall not be solely depen- shall be of such material and construction that the letters
dent on springs. and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise applied to
An emergency stop switch shall not be provided on any the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The
landing control except as required by 6.10.2. height of the letters and figures shall be not less than 3 mm
(0.125 in.).
6.10.9 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electrically 6.12 Standby Emergency Power ð20Þ
Lifts shall be permitted to have standby emergency
power to raise or lower the lift in the event of a main
power failure.
stop position and when any electrical protective device
functions.
50
ASME A18.1-2020
7 PRIVATE RESIDENCE INCLINED STAIRWAY drums and sheaves shall be permitted to be reduced to
CHAIRLIFTS7 21 times the diameter of the rope or cable.
Where the grooves are used to transmit power, suffi-
Section 7 applies to inclined stairway chairlifts where cient traction shall be provided between the rope and
installed in or at a private residence for use by the mobility groove, and in the event of nonmetallic lining failure,
impaired. between the rope and the remaining sheave groove, to
safely stop and hold the chair with 125% of the rated load.
7.1 Runways
7.3.2 Hydraulic Driving Machines. Direct-plunger
7.1.1 The structure on which the equipment is installed
hydraulic driving machines, where used, shall conform
shall be capable of safely supporting the loads imposed.
to the requirements of 8.1, except 8.1.2.
7.1.2 The installation of electrical equipment and Roped-hydraulic machines shall conform to the re-
wiring shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 70. quirements of 8.1 except for 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4.3, and
8.1.4.7.
7.1.3 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the re-
quirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5. 7.3.3 Screw Machines. Screw machines, where used,
shall conform to 8.2.
7.2 Guide Rails and Tracks
The supporting tracks or guide rails shall be securely used, shall conform to 8.3.
anchored to the stairs, floor surface, or sidewall.
7.3.5 Location of Power Unit and Alignment and
The factor of safety used in the design of the guide rails
Guarding of Sheaves and Sprockets. The power unit
and tracks shall be not less than 5 based on the rated load.
shall be permitted to be mounted on the carriage or
7.3 Driving Means and Sheaves placed at a remote location. If remotely located, all
sheaves and sprockets shall be so placed that the rope
The driving means shall be one of the following: or chain travels in the proper alignment. All sheaves
(a) winding drum and sprockets shall be enclosed or guarded.
(b) traction
(c) roped sprocket 7.3.6 Indirect-Drive Machines. Indirect-drive
(d) chain sprocket machines, using V-belt drives, tooth drive belts, or
(e) screw drive chains, shall conform to the requirements of
(f) rack and pinion 7.3.6.1 through 7.3.6.3, except that the requirements of
(g) direct-plunger hydraulic 7.3.6.2 shall be permitted to be omitted if a self-
(h) roped-hydraulic locking drive meeting the requirements of 7.4.2 is

(i) lever hydraulic provided. If multiple belts or chains are provided, they
(j) lever screw shall be preloaded and matched for length in sets.
(k) friction 7.3.6.1 General Requirements. Belt sets shall be
7.3.1 General Requirements selected on the basis of the manufacturer’s rated breaking
7.3.1.1 The factor of safety used in the design of the sets shall be selected on the basis of recommendations set
sprockets and sheaves shall be not less than 5 based on the forth in the Supplementary Information section of ASME
rated load. See section 8 for special requirements of par- B29.1, using a service factor of 2. Offset links in chain are
ticular drive systems. not permitted. Sprockets in a chain-drive set shall be
7.3.1.2 Driving-machine chains and sprockets shall assembled onto a common hub, with teeth cut in-line
be of steel and shall conform in design and dimensions to after assembly to ensure equal load distribution on all
the requirements of ASME B29.1. chains. Tooth sheaves for a belt drive shall be constructed
in a manner to ensure equal load distribution on each belt
7.3.1.3 Winding drums, traction sheaves, overhead in the set. Load determination for both the belt and chain
sheaves, and deflecting sheaves used with suspension and sets shall be based on the maximum static loading on the
compensating ropes shall be of metal and provided with carriage, which is the full load on the chair at rest and at a
finished grooves for ropes or shall be permitted to be lined position in the runway that creates the greatest load,
with nonmetallic groove material, and shall have a pitch including either the carriage or counterweight resting
diameter of not less than 30 times the diameter of the on its buffer.
suspension ropes. Where 8 × 19 steel rope or 7 × 19 Chain drives and belt drives shall be guarded to protect
steel aircraft cable is used, the pitch diameter of the against accidental contact and to prevent foreign objects
7
locations other than in or at a private residence.
51
ASME A18.1-2020
7.3.6.2 Monitoring and Brake Location. Each belt or load. See section 8 for special requirements for particular
chain in a set shall be continuously monitored by a broken drive systems.
belt or chain device that shall function to automatically
7.5.3 Replacement of Chains and Sprockets. If two or
interrupt power to the machine and apply the brake if
more chains are used as a suspension or support means
and a worn chain or sprocket is replaced, all chains and
sprockets must be replaced.
traction sheaves or drum assembly side of the driving
machines so as to be fully effective if the entire belt 7.6 Chairs and Seats
set or chain set should break.
Each chair shall be provided with a foot platform, seat,
7.3.6.3 Replacement of Belts or Chains. If one belt or and seat belt. At least one handgrip shall be provided.
chain of a set is worn, stretched, or damaged so as to
require replacement, the entire set shall be replaced. 7.6.1 Chair Truck and Guides. The chair shall be
Sprockets and toothed sheaves shall also be replaced if securely anchored to a truck that supports it. The
worn. truck shall be restrained in a track or on a guide-rail
assembly.
7.4 Driving-Machine Brakes
7.6.2 Factors of Safety. The factor of safety used in the
7.4.1 A driving-machine brake directly attached to the design of the carriage and truck shall be not less than 5
driving means through a continuous shaft, mechanical based on the rated load.
coupling, or toothed gearing of the electrically released
7.6.3 Footrest Obstruction Device. If the footrest is
spring-applied type shall be provided, except on lifts
located so that it is within 150 mm (6 in.) of the step
with hydraulic driving machines.
nosing or riser, a device shall be provided on the footrest
7.4.2 A machine brake is not required if a self-locking to stop the upward motion of the carriage if it encounters
drive using a lead screw, worm, or other positive gearing an object between the footrest and step nosing or riser.
that will stop and hold the carriage with the rated load
7.6.4 Footrest Clearance. At no point in its travel shall
within 100 mm (4 in.) of down travel after the power
the edge of the footrest facing the upper landing be more
is removed is provided.
than 600 mm (24 in.) above the step or landing as
7.5 Suspension and Support Means measured vertically.
7.5.1 General Requirements 7.7 Capacity, Speed, and Angle of Inclination

7.5.1.1 Suspension and support means shall be one 7.7.1 Limitations of Capacity, Load, and Speed. The
of the following: capacity shall not exceed two persons. The rated load

(a) steel or iron wire rope shall be not less than 115 kg (250 lb) for a one-seat
(b) steel aircraft cable lift and not less than 180 kg (400 lb) for a two-seat
(c) roller chain lift. The speed, as measured along the incline, shall not
(d) direct-plunger hydraulic exceed 0.2 m/s (40 ft/min).
(e) roped-hydraulic
(f) rack and pinion 7.7.2 Limitation of Angle of Inclination. No lift shall be
(g) screw installed to operate on a greater incline than 45 deg as
(h) friction machine guides and rollers measured on the mean.
7.5.1.2 Steel tapes or welded link chains shall not be 7.7.3 Capacity Plate. A capacity plate stating the rated
used as suspension means. Where wire ropes are used, the load in pounds shall be furnished by the manufacturer and
diameter shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.). Where fastened in a conspicuous place on the device. Letters and
aircraft cable is used, the diameter shall be not less numbers shall be not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
than 3 mm (0.125 in.). 7.7.4 Data Plates. A data plate shall be provided by the
7.5.2 Factors of Safety. The suspension and support manufacturer and securely fastened in a conspicuous
means shall have a factor of safety of not less than 7 based place. It shall state the rated speed, rated load, suspension
on the tension in the rope, cable, chain, or forces exerted or support means, date of manufacture, and manufac-
on the hydraulic cylinder, screw drive, or rack and pinion turer’s name. Letters and numerals shall be not less
when raising the rated load. When the carriage and coun- than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in height.
terweight are suspended by steel ropes and the driving
means between the machine and the counterweight is
an endless roller-type chain, the factor of safety of
such chain shall be not less than 8, based on the rated
52
ASME A18.1-2020
7.8 Safeties and Governors 7.8.1.6 Safety-rope leading-sheaves brackets and

All carriages shall be provided with a safety, except for supported by wood platform members.
platforms of direct-plunger hydraulic lifts or other drive
systems that are designed so that the failure of any single 7.8.2 Material and Factor of Safety. Governor ropes
drive component cannot result in the platform over- shall be of iron, steel, monel metal, phosphor bronze, or
speeding. stainless steel. They shall be of a regular-lay construction,
The safety shall be actuated by the action of a speed and not less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter. The factor of
governor or by the breakage or slackening of the suspen- safety of governor ropes shall be not less than 5. Tiller-
sion or support means. Where actuation is by a governor, rope construction shall not be used.
the safety shall be set at a maximum speed of 0.4 m/s (75 7.8.3 Means of Application. Safeties shall be applied
ft/min). Where actuation is by breakage or slackening of mechanically. Electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices
the suspension or support means, the safety shall be set shall not be used to apply the safeties required by
without delay, and independent of the speed governor, if section 7, nor to hold such safeties in the retracted posi-
provided. tion.
Safety parts shall conform to the requirements of 7.8.1.
Governor ropes, where provided, shall conform to the re- 7.8.4 Level of Chair on Safety Application. The appli- ð20Þ
quirements of 7.8.2. cation of a Type A safety to stop the chair, with its rated
The application and release of safeties shall conform to load, shall not cause the chair to be out of level more than
the requirements of 7.8.3 through 7.8.5. 30 mm/m (0.375 in./ft) in any direction.
7.8.1 Minimum Factors of Safety and Stresses of 7.8.5 Release. When chair safeties are applied, no
Safety Parts and Rope Connections decrease in tension in the governor rope nor motion of
the chair in the down direction shall release the safeties,
7.8.1.1 Parts of safeties, except springs, safety-rope
but such safeties shall be permitted to be released by the
motion of the chair in the up direction.
safety-jaw gibs, shall have a factor of safety of not less than
3.5, based on the ultimate strength of the material, and the 7.9 Terminal Stopping Devices
materials used shall have an elongation of not less than
15% in a length of 50 mm (2 in.). Forged, cast, or welded 7.9.1 Normal terminal stopping devices required by
parts shall be stress relieved. 7.9.2 shall be permitted to use mechanically operated,
magnetically operated, optical, or static-type switches.
ð20Þ 7.8.1.2 Springs shall be permitted to be used in the Final terminal stopping devices required by 7.9.3 shall
operation of chair or counterweight safeties. Where use only mechanically operated switches for determining

chair position.
tion, the loading on the spring shall not produce a fiber Terminal stopping devices that are located on the chair
stress exceeding one-half the elastic limit of the material. or in the runway shall be of the enclosed type and securely
During operation of the safety, the fiber stress shall not mounted in such a manner that horizontal movement of
exceed 85% of the elastic limit of the material. Helical the chair shall not affect the operation of the device.
springs, where used, shall be in compression.
7.9.2 Upper and lower normal terminal stopping
7.8.1.3 Safety-rope drums, leading sheaves, and devices operated by the chair shall be provided, and
their supporting brackets and safety-jaw gibs shall be shall be set to stop the chair at or near the upper and
permitted to be made of cast iron and other metals, lower terminal landings under rated loading to zero
provided such parts have a factor of safety of not less loading conditions.
than 10.
7.8.1.4 Rope used as a connection from the safety to operated by the chair to remove power from the motor
the governor rope, including rope wound on the safety- and the brake shall be provided, except as specified in
rope drum, shall be not less than 3 mm (0.125 in.) in 7.9.6. They shall be set to stop the chair after it travels
diameter and shall be made of a corrosion-resistant past the normal terminal stopping device and before
metal. The factor of safety of the rope shall be not less striking an obstruction. A slack-rope device equipped
than 5. Tiller-rope construction shall not be used. with a slack-rope switch of the enclosed manually
7.8.1.5 The factors of safety shall be based on the reset type that shall cause the electric power to be
maximum stresses developed in the parts during the removed from the driving-machine motor and brake if
operation of the safety when stopping the rated load any hoisting rope becomes slack shall be permitted to
from the governor tripping speed. be used as the lower final terminal stopping device.
53
ASME A18.1-2020
7.9.4 Final terminal stopping devices shall be 7.10.4 Phase Reversal and Failure Protection. Chair-
mechanically operated. The switch contacts shall be lifts having polyphase alternating-current power supply
directly opened mechanically. Arrangements that shall be provided with means to prevent the starting of the
depend on a spring or gravity, or a combination lift motor if the phase rotation is in the wrong direction, or
thereof, to open the contacts shall not be used. if there is a failure of any phase.
This protection shall be considered to be provided if a
7.9.5 The final terminal stopping device shall not
reversal of phase of the incoming polyphase alternating-
control the same controller switches as the normal term-
current power will not cause the driving-machine motor
inal stopping devices unless two or more separate and
to operate in the wrong direction.
independent switches are provided, two of which shall
be closed to complete the driving-machine motor-and- 7.10.5 Release and Application of Driving-Machine
brake circuit in either direction of travel. Where a two- Brake. Driving-machine brakes shall not be electrically
or three-phase alternating-current driving-machine released until power has been applied to the driving-
motor is used, these switches shall be of the multipole machine motor. All power feed lines to the brake shall
type. be opened, and the brake shall apply automatically
The control shall be so designed and installed that a when any operating device in 7.10.1 or 7.10.2 is in the
single ground or short circuit shall be permitted to “STOP” position and when any electrical protective
allow either, but not prevent both, of the normal and device functions.
final stopping device circuits from stopping the chair.
7.10.6 Control and Operating Circuits. The design and
7.9.6 Final terminal stopping devices are not required installation of the control and operating circuits shall
for direct-plunger hydraulic driving machines. Lower final conform to the requirements of 7.10.6.1 and 7.10.6.2.
7.10.6.1 Control systems that depend on the comple-
tion or maintenance of an electric circuit shall not be used
of the chair (e.g., a carriage at rest on the bottom terminal
for interruption of the power and application of the
landing).
driving-machine brake at terminal landings or for stop-
7.10 Operating Devices and Control Equipment ping the machine when the safety applies.
ð20Þ 7.10.1 Operation. Operation of the lift from the land- 7.10.6.2 If springs are used to actuate switches,
ings and from the chair shall be controlled by control contactors, or relays to break the circuit to stop the lift
switches at all stations, and shall be by means of the at the terminal landing, they shall be of the restrained
continuous-pressure type. Controls shall be 1 220 mm compression type.
(48 in.) maximum and 380 mm (15 in.) minimum 7.10.7 Slack-Rope and Slack-Chain Devices for

above the platform floor or facility floor or ground Winding Drum and Roller-Chain-Type Driving Machines.
level or made accessible to the user. Operating devices Winding drum driving machines with rope suspension
shall be designed such that both the “UP” and “DOWN” shall be provided with a slack-rope device of the manually
circuits cannot be operated at the same time. reset type that will remove power from the motor and
7.10.2 Motor Reversal Protection. If an instanta- brake if the car is obstructed in its descent and the suspen-
neously reversible motor is not used, a protective sion ropes slacken. Lifts with roller-chain suspension
device or circuit shall be provided to prevent the means shall be provided with a slack-chain device that
motor from continuing in the same direction if the rever- will remove power from the motor and brake if the
sing control is actuated. car is obstructed in its descent and the suspension
means slacken. This device is not required to be of the
7.10.3 Electrical Equipment and Wiring manually reset type if the chain sprockets are guarded
to prevent the chain from becoming disengaged from
7.10.3.1 All electrical equipment and wiring shall the sprockets.
7.10.3.2 Electrical equipment shall be certified to the 7.11 Code Data Plate
requirements of CAN/CSA-B44.1/ASME A17.5. A code data plate shall be provided that indicates the
7.10.3.3 The failure of any single magnetically oper- A18.1 Standard to be used for inspections and tests. The
ated switch, relay, or contractor to release in the intended data plate shall be in plain view, securely attached on the
manner, or the failure of any solid state device to operate main line disconnect or on the controller. The data plate
as intended, or the occurrence of a single accidental shall be of such material and construction that the letters
ground or combination of accidental grounds shall not and figures stamped, etched, cast, or otherwise applied to
permit the lift to start if this failure renders ineffective the face shall remain permanently and readily legible. The
54
ASME A18.1-2020
height of the letters and figures shall be not less than 3 mm The hitch plate supporting beams shall be designed to
(0.125 in.). withstand two times the sum of the tensions in all hoisting
ropes attached to the hitch plates.
8 DRIVING MEANS 8.1.2.3 The roping ratio that relates the driving
Section 8 contains requirements for specific types of member of the hydraulic jack speed to the platform
driving means where referenced by other sections of speed shall not exceed 1:2.
this Standard. 8.1.2.4 Ropes passing through seals fixed in cylinder
heads shall be permitted to have a clear plastic coating
8.1 Hydraulic Driving Means
applied to seal properly and facilitate rope inspection.
8.1.1 Hydraulic Jack and Connections. Where
8.1.2.5 Means shall be provided to prevent the ropes,
multiple hydraulic jacks are used, they shall be hydrau-
if slack, from leaving the sheave grooves.
lically connected to form a single hydraulic system.
8.1.2.6 A slack rope device with an enclosed manu-
8.1.1.1 Direct-Acting Hydraulic Lifts. The driving
ally reset switch shall be provided that shall cause the
member of the hydraulic jack shall be attached to the plat-
electric power to be removed from the hydraulic
form frame or platform floor with fastenings of sufficient
machine pump motor and the control valves should
strength to support that member with a factor of safety of
any rope become slack.
not less than 4.
The connection to the hydraulic jack shall be capable of 8.1.2.7 The traveling sheave shall be attached to the
withstanding, without damage, any forces resulting from a upper end of the plunger or cylinder of the hydraulic
plunger stop as described in 8.1.5.2. driving machine with fastenings having a minimum
Any plunger or cylinder head connector or connection factor of safety of 4 based on the ultimate strength of
shall conform to the requirements of 8.1.3.1, 8.1.3.4, and the material used. The load to be used in determining
8.1.6. the factor of safety shall be the resultant of the
maximum tensions in the ropes leading from the
8.1.2 Roped-Hydraulic Lift sheave with the lift at rest and with rated load in the plat-
8.1.2.1 Roped-hydraulic lifts having fewer than three form.
hydraulic jacks shall be suspended with no fewer than two
8.1.3 Plungers
wire ropes per hydraulic jack. Where three or more
hydraulic jacks are used, one rope per jack shall be 8.1.3.1 Material. For tensile, compressive, bending,
permitted to be used. Should one hydraulic jack and torsional loading, the plunger and connecting
become disconnected, the remaining jacks shall be couplings for the plunger shall have a factor of safety

capable of supporting the load without exceeding allow- of not less than 5 based on ultimate strength.
able platform frame stresses or hydraulic jack stress. Pressure loadings shall have a factor of safety of not less
than that calculated per 9.5.
8.1.2.2 Where platforms are suspended by hoisting
ropes attached to the platform frame or to the overhead 8.1.3.2 Plunger Design. Plungers made of steel shall
supporting beams by means of rope shackles, the shackles be designed in accordance with the applicable formula in
shall be attached to steel hitch plates or to structural or 9.2 for calculation of elastic stability, bending, and external
formed steel shapes. Such plates or shapes shall be pressure. For other materials, the appropriate modules of
secured to the underside or to the webs of the platform elasticity must be used.
frame members with bolts, rivets, or welds so located that Plungers subject to internal pressure shall also be
the tensions in the hoisting ropes will not develop direct designed and constructed in accordance with the cylinder
tension in the bolts or rivets. design formula in 9.3.
Where bolts and rivets are subjected to shearing
8.1.3.3 Plunger Connection. When the hydraulic jack
stresses due to tension in the hoisting ropes, the total
is not subjected to eccentric loading, it shall carry in
shear shall not exceed 60 MPa (8,600 psi) of actual
tension the weight of the plunger with a factor of
area in the shear plane. The stresses in the welds due
safety of not less than 4 and restrict total vertical move-
to tensions in the hoisting ropes shall not exceed 55
ment to less than 20% of the buffer stroke, where vibration
MPa (8,000 psi) on the throat area of the welds. Bolts
damping means are provided.
made of steel having greater strength than specified by
In addition, when the hydraulic jack is subjected to
ASTM A307 shall be permitted to be used and the
eccentric loading, the plunger connection to the platform
maximum allowable stresses increased proportionally
shall also be so designed and constructed as to transmit
based on the ratio of the ultimate strengths. Elongation
the full eccentric moment into the plunger with a factor of
shall conform to the requirements of the corresponding
safety of not less than 4.
ASTM specification.
55
ASME A18.1-2020
The plunger and the plunger connection to the platform 8.1.4.4 Safety Bulkhead. Buried cylinders shall be
shall also be so designed and constructed that the total provided with a safety bulkhead having an orifice of a
vertical deflection of the loading edge of the platform size that would permit the platform to descend at a
due to eccentric loading of the platform shall not speed not greater than 0.08 m/s (15 ft/min) nor less
exceed 20 mm (0.75 in.). than 0.03 m/s (5 ft/min). A space of not less than 25
mm (1 in.) shall be left between the welds of the
8.1.3.4 Plunger Joints. Plungers composed of more
safety bulkhead and the cylinder head. Safety bulkheads
than one section shall have joints designed and
shall conform to the requirements of 8.1.4.6.
constructed to carry in tension the weight of all
These requirements do not apply where a double cyl-
plunger sections below the joint with a factor of safety
inder is used and where both inner and outer cylinders
of not less than 4 and to transmit in compression the
conform to the requirements of 8.1.4.
gross load on the plunger with a factor of safety of not
less than 5 based on ultimate strength. 8.1.4.5 Cylinder Packing Heads. Cylinder packing
Joints shall withstand without damage any forces heads shall conform to the appropriate requirements
resulting from a plunger stop as described in 8.1.5.1. of 8.1.5 and 9.4.
For eccentric loading, the joints shall conform to the
8.1.4.6 Closed Cylinder and Plunger Heads. Closed
requirements of 8.1.3.2 and 8.1.3.3.
heads of cylinders, and heads of plungers subject to fluid
8.1.3.5 Plungers Subject to External Pressure. For pressure, shall conform to the following requirements:
plungers subjected to external pressure, the working pres- (a) Closed heads of cylinders only shall be of dished
sure shall be not greater than indicated by the formula in seamless construction, concave to pressure, except if
9.2.3. the bottom of the cylinder is supported, and if the cylinder
is not buried.
8.1.3.6 Plunger Heads Subject to Fluid Pressure.
They shall be designed and constructed in accordance
Heads of plungers subject to fluid pressure shall
with the applicable formulas in 9.4, provided that steel
conform to the requirements of 8.1.4.6.
heads shall in no case have a thickness less than that
8.1.3.7 Plunger-Follower Guide. A plunger-follower required for the adjoining shell.
guide shall be permitted to be used, provided it is arranged (b) Dished seamless heads, convex to pressure if used
so that the lift is always in a position where the unsup- on plungers, shall have a maximum allowable working
ported length of the plunger conforms to the “maximum pressure of not more than 60% of that for heads of
free length” as defined in 9.2 and to open the power circuit the same dimensions with pressure on the concave side.
if this length is exceeded.
8.1.4.7 Collection of Oil Leakage. Means shall be
Telescopic plungers shall have each plunger section
provided to collect for removal of any oil leakage from
internally guided. If more than two movable sections

the cylinder packing gland. The amount collected
are used, external guides shall be provided for each
before removal shall not exceed 20 L (5 gal). The container
plunger section.
shall be covered and shall not be permitted to overflow.
8.1.4 Cylinders 8.1.4.8 Installation Below Ground. Cylinders ð20Þ
8.1.4.1 Material. The cylinder and connecting installed below ground shall be provided with protection
couplings for the cylinder shall be made of materials in from corrosion by one or more of the following methods:
compliance with the following: (a) monitored cathodic protection.
(a) For tensile, compressive, bending, and torsional (b) a coating to protect the cylinder and piping from
loading, the cylinder and connecting couplings shall corrosion that will withstand the installation process.
have a factor of safety of not less than 5 based on ultimate (c) a protective plastic casing immune to galvanic or
strength. electrolytic action, salt water, and other known under-
(b) For pressure calculations, the cylinder and ground conditions. The casing shall be capped at the
connecting coupling shall have a factor of safety of not bottom and all joints shall be solvent or head welded
less than that calculated as specified in 9.5. to ensure water tightness. The casing shall be constructed
of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe with minimum pipe stiff-
8.1.4.2 Cylinder Design. Cylinders shall be designed ness of 320 kPa (46 psi) (as per ASTM D2412) or of mate-
and constructed in accordance with the formula in 9.3. rial with equivalent characteristics; and the annulus
8.1.4.3 Clearance at Bottom of Cylinder. Clearance between the cylinder and the top of the protective
shall be provided at the bottom of the cylinder so that the plastic casing shall be sealed and provided with means
bottom of the plunger will not strike the safety bulkhead of of inspection for the presence of oil.
the cylinder when the platform is resting on its fully
compressed buffer.
56
ASME A18.1-2020
If the space between the protective casing and cylinder (-c) manufacturer of hose and fittings
is empty, the casing must be designed to withstand a static (e) Flexible couplings shall be so designed and
head of water from ground level to the bottom of the casing constructed that failure of the sealing equipment will
based on the manufacturer’s ratings of the material used. not permit separation of the parts connected. The
devices or means used for preventing the separation of
8.1.4.9 Means for Relief of Air or Gas. Cylinders shall
the parts connected shall be removable only with the
be provided with a means to release air or other gas.
use of tools. Devices or means removable with hand-oper-
8.1.4.10 The cylinder shall be provided with a flow ated quick-release levers or toggles shall not be permitted.
control device, installed at the cylinder oil inlet, that will
prevent the platform from descending at a rate in excess of 8.1.7.2 Hydraulic Tubing and Fittings
0.4 m/s (75 ft/min). 8.1.7.2.1 Hydraulic tubing and fittings in confor- ð20Þ
mance with SAE J524 for tubing and SAE J514 for fittings
8.1.5 Stops
shall be permitted to be used for hydraulic connections
8.1.5.1 Metal Stops and/or Other Means. Metal stops between the check valve and the cylinder. The tubing and
and/or other means shall be provided at one end of the fitting assembly shall have a bursting strength sufficient to
plunger and at the packing head end of the cylinder to withstand not less than 8 times the working pressure. (See
prevent the plunger from traveling beyond the limits definitions in 1.3.)
of the cylinder.
8.1.7.3 Steel Piping. Where used, steel piping shall be
The metal stops and/or other means shall be so
of the welded, grooved, threaded, or bolted flange type.
designed and constructed as to stop the plunger traveling
Threads of piping and fittings shall conform to ASME
in the up direction at maximum speed under full load pres-
B1.20.1.
sure, should the normal terminal stopping device fail to
operate. No running test onto the stop ring is required. 8.2 Screw Machines
8.1.5.2 Hydraulic System. The connections to the 8.2.1 The screw machine shall function to raise or
hydraulic driving machine, plunger, plunger connection, lower the platform acting in conjunction with a screw
couplings, plunger joints, cylinder, cylinder connecting column that supports the platform.
couplings, or any other parts of the hydraulic system
shall be designed and constructed to withstand, 8.2.2 Screws shall be made of steel. Nuts shall be made
without damage, a plunger stop in accordance with 8.1.5.1. of bronze or other materials having an elongation of at
least 14% in 50 mm (2 in.).
8.1.6 Welding. All welding shall conform to the re-
quirements of 9.1. 8.2.3 Means shall be provided to secure and maintain
the screw in its operating position under all conditions of

8.1.7 Hydraulic Connections operation.
8.1.7.1 Flexible Hose and Fittings. Flexible hose and 8.2.4 A casing, closed at the end, shall be provided to
fitting assemblies and flexible couplings shall be enclose and protect the screw column in cases where the
permitted for hydraulic connections. Where installed screw column extends outside the runway and machine
between the check valve and the cylinder, they shall room.
conform to the following requirements:
(a) Installation shall be accomplished without introdu- 8.2.5 The screw column, nut, and their attachments
cing twist in the hose and shall conform with the minimum shall provide sufficient strength to support the loads
bending radius of SAE AS100 R2 type high-pressure, steel- imposed on their connections with a factor of safety of 5.
wire-reinforced, rubber-covered hydraulic hose specified 8.2.6 Means shall be provided to prevent the disen-
in SAE J517. gagement of the nut from the screw column. This
(b) The hose shall be suitably protected from surface means shall be so designed and constructed as to
abrasion where it passes through a wall or enclosure. prevent disengagement in the event of overtravel at
(c) The hose and fitting assembly shall have a bursting full speed and without damage to any part of the lift instal-
strength sufficient to withstand not less than 8 times the lation. Any additional loads imposed by this action shall be
working pressure (see definitions in 1.3). considered in the computations made in accordance with
(d) Conform to the requirements of SAE AS100 R2 type 8.2.7.
hose specified in SAE J517 and be compatible with the fluid
used. 8.2.7 Where the screw column is a compression
(1) use nonreusable type fittings member, column formulas of 9.2 shall be used in the
(2) be permanently marked or tagged with design with the words “screw column” substituted for
(-a) the SAE hose type identification the word “plunger” and
(-b) the bursting strength
57
ASME A18.1-2020
A = net cross-sectional area of screw at the root of 9.1 Welding

the thread, mm2 (in.2)
L = maximum free length of screw, mm (in.) 9.1.1 Qualification of Welders. Welding of parts,
R = radius of gyration of screw at root of thread, except for tack welds later incorporated into finished
mm (in.) welds, shall be done by welders qualified in accordance
W = the total weight with rated load plus one-half with the requirements of AWS D1.1, section 4.
the weight of the screw column, kg (lb) At the option of the manufacturer or contractor, the
W/A = maximum allowable fiber stress welders shall be permitted to be qualified by one of
the following:
(a) the manufacturer or contractor
8.2.8 Where the screw column is a tension member,
(b) a professional consulting engineer
the unit stress (considering the root dimension and any
(c) a recognized testing laboratory
associated stress concentration and/or the reduced
section at any joints in the screw) shall not exceed 9.1.2 Welding Steel. Welding of steel shall be done in
one-fifth of the ultimate strength of the material with a accordance with the applicable section of AWS D1.1 or
maximum fiber stress not to exceed 125 kPa (18,000 psi). AWS D1.3.
8.2.9 A positive mechanical means shall be provided to 9.1.3 Welding Metals Other Than Steel. Welding of
prevent rotation or separation of sections of a multiple- materials other than steel shall be done in accordance
section screw column. with the latest AWS requirements applicable to the spe-
cific materials used.
8.3 Friction Machines
8.3.1 The friction developed shall be self-adjusting to
9.2 Plunger Design
allow for wear and shall be capable of lifting and Plungers shall be designed and constructed in accor-
supporting a platform loaded with 125% of the rated load. dance with one of the following formulas.
8.3.2 The friction drive wheels and the guide means 9.2.1 Plungers Not Subject to Eccentric Loading
shall be made of metal or other durable material or a
9.2.1.1 Where slenderness ratio of plunger is less
combination of materials. Wear or failure of these mate-
than 120
rials shall not reduce the available friction required to
ensure compliance with 8.3.1. The presence of moisture (SI Units)
shall not reduce the available friction required to ensure
compliance with 8.3.1. W
= 9.377 × 107 3.344 × 103(L/R )2
8.3.3 Friction drive, if used to drive the overspeed A

governor, shall be independent of the main friction drive.
(U.S. Customary)
8.3.4 If the overspeed governor is friction driven, the W
control system shall include circuitry to continually = 13,600 0.485(L /R )2
A
monitor the rotation of the overspeed governor driving
means during travel. If rotation ceases, electric power 9.2.1.28 Where slenderness ratio of plunger is greater
shall be removed from the driving-machine motor and than 120
brake (if provided) within 10 s or 1 000 mm (40 in.) of
travel, whichever occurs first. Releasing operating (SI Units)
controls shall be permitted to reset the monitor or its
circuitry. W 6.552 × 1011
=
8.3.5 The force transmitted to the rotating device by A (L/R )2
friction shall be at least twice the force necessary to
actuate the safeties. (U.S. Customary)
W 95,000,000
=
9 ENGINEERING TYPE TESTING AND DESIGN A (L /R )2
Section 9 contains formulas, figures, tables, and speci-
fications to be applied where required by the other where
sections of this Standard. A = net sectional area of plunger (area of metal), m2
(in.2)
8
Formulas are for steel.
58
ASME A18.1-2020
L = maximum free length of plunger, mm (in.). (SI Units)

Where a plunger-follower guide is used, L
shall be taken as one-half the amount that ÅÄÅ É
2 ÑÑÑÑ
ÅÅ ity
the free length would be if no follower guide p = 2296ÅÅÅÅ1 1 1600jjj zzz ÑÑ
ÑÑ
was provided. ÅÅ kD{ ÑÑ
ÅÅÇ ÑÑÖ
R = radius of gyration of plunger section, mm (in.)
W = allowable gross weight to be sustained by (U.S. Customary)
plunger, N (lbf). Where a counterweight is ÄÅ É
provided, the weight of the counterweight
ÅÅ
Å 2 ÑÑÑÑ
it y
plus the unbalanced weight of the counter- p = 333ÅÅÅÅ1 1 1,600jjj zzz ÑÑ
ÑÑ
ÅÅ kD{ ÑÑ
weight ropes shall be permitted to be deducted ÅÅÇ ÑÑÖ
in determining W. In determining W, one-half of
the weight of the plunger shall be included 9.2.3.2 Where the ratio of t/D is greater than 0.023
except where a plunger-follower guide is (SI Units)
used, in which case, three-fourths of the t
plunger weight shall be included. p = 199200 3185
D
W/A = maximum allowable fiber stress, kPa (psi)
(U.S. Customary)
9.2.1.3 Plungers having a free length of 7 600 mm t
(300 in.) or less shall be permitted to be accepted without p = 28,890 462
D
further examination for strength and elastic stability,
provided all of the following conditions exist: where
(a) The working pressure is 2 MPa (300 psi) or less. D = external finished diameter, mm (in.)
(b) The plunger is 100 mm (4 in.) nominal pipe size or p = working pressure, kPa (psi)
larger. t = finished wall thickness, mm (in.)
(c) A pipe not lighter than schedule 40 is used and not
more than 1.6 mm (0.0625 in.) of metal has been removed 9.2.4 Telescoping Plungers. Telescoping plungers
from the wall thickness during machining. shall have each plunger section internally guided. If
9.2.1.4 For plungers with varying cross sections, the more than two movable sections are used, plunger
stress shall be calculated for a factor of safety of at least 3, follower guides shall be provided for each plunger
using accepted methods for elastic stability. section. In the formulas in 9.2.1.1 and 9.2.1.2, the
values of A and R shall be for the smallest plunger
9.2.2 Plungers Subject to Eccentric Loading. For plun- section. When plunger follower guides are used, the

gers subject to bending, the stresses due to bending as value of L shall be the maximum free length of the smallest
determined by the following formula shall be subtracted section in inches. When plunger follower guides are not
from the stress, W/A, as determined by the applicable used, the value of L shall be taken as 1.4 times the
formulas in 9.2.1: maximum free length of the smallest plunger section.
(SI and Customary Units)
9.3 Cylinder Design
We
S= b The cylinder shall be designed and constructed in accor-
Z
dance with the following formula:
where pd
e = eccentricity of Wb, mm (in.) t= +C
2S
S = stress due to bending, MPa (psi)
Wb = maximum eccentric load, N (lbf). Where any or all where
of this load is caused by moving wheel loads C = depth of the thread or groove, mm (in.)
imposed on the edge of the platform, the total d = internal diameter, mm (in.)
of such loads shall be doubled for impact. p = working pressure, kPa (psi)
Z = section modulus of plunger section, mm3 (in.3) S = allowable stress, kPa (psi) (see 9.5.2)
t = minimum thickness of wall, mm (in.)
9.2.3 Plungers Subjected to External Pressure. For
plungers subjected to external pressure, the working pres- 9.4 Cylinder and Plunger Heads
sure shall be not more than that indicated by the following
formulas. Heads of cylinders and heads of plungers subject to fluid
pressure shall be designed and constructed in accordance
9.2.3.1 Where the ratio of t/D is less than 0.023 with one of the following applicable formulas.
59
ASME A18.1-2020
9.4.1 Flat unreinforced heads 9.6 Engineering Tests: Safety Nut and Speed-
p Limiting Device of Screw Column Lifts
t=d
4S This section specifies the engineering tests of safety
nuts and speed-limiting devices that are permitted as
9.4.2 Dished seamless hemispherical heads, concave
alternate safety devices on screw column lifts.
to pressure
5pr 9.6.1 Test of Safety Nut. The test shall be made in the
t= manufacturer’s plant, in a testing laboratory, or in the field
6S
by suspending the platform with rated load a distance
9.4.3 Dished seamless ellipsoidal heads, concave to above the safety nut of at least 12 mm (0.5 in.) and allowing
pressure (ellipsoidal heads in which one-half of the it to drop (free fall) until the entire load rests on the safety
minor axis equals one-quarter the inside diameter of nut. The test shall be witnessed by, and the test results
skirt), certified by, a testing laboratory or registered professional
engineer. After the test, the screw column, screw supports
5pD
t= safety nut, guide rails, and platform frame shall be
6S inspected to determine that there has been no damage.
where A test on a given capacity lift shall be accepted for all simi-
D = inside diameter of skirt, mm (in.) larly designed lifts by that manufacturer for the same or
d = diameter of head between supporting edges, mm lesser capacity (rated load).
(in.) 9.6.2 Test of Speed-Limiting Device. The test shall be
p = working pressure, kPa (psi) made in the manufacturer’s plant, in a testing laboratory,
r = radius to which head is dished, measured on or in the field by suspending the platform with rated load
concave side (not greater than d), mm (in.) at the maximum height of travel above the lower limit of
S = allowable stress, kPa (psi) (see 9.5.2) normal travel and allowing it to drop (free fall) until the
t = minimum thickness of head, mm (in.) descent is controlled by the speed-limiting device. The
platform shall be allowed to continue its descent until
9.5 Safety Factor brought to rest. The test shall be instrumented so that
a graph of velocity versus distance can be plotted. The
9.5.1 The minimum factor of safety for components
test shall be witnessed by, and the test results certified
subject to fluid pressure shall be as follows:
by, a testing laboratory or a registered professional engi-
5.04 neer. After the test, the screw column, screw column
F= + 2.7
E 2.8 supports, speed-limiting device, guide rails, and platform

frame shall be inspected to determine that there has been
where
no damage. A test on a given capacity lift shall be accepted
E = percent elongation in 50 mm (2 in.) gauge length as
for all similarly designed lifts by that manufacturer for the
per ASTM E8 expressed as a whole number (e.g.,
same or lesser capacity (rated load).
20% = 20 and 5% = 5). The minimum allowable E
shall be 5. 9.7 Minimum Load to Sustain and Lower ð20Þ
F = minimum factor of safety based on 0.2% proof
stress yield point. The minimum allowable F The following formulas shall be used for determining
shall be 3. the minimum load to sustain and lower:
(SI Units)
9.5.2 The allowable stress to be used in 9.3 and 9.4
shall be determined as follows:
Y.P. W = 35.05A2 + 325.7A
S=
F (U.S. Customary)
where W = 0.667A2 + 66.7A
F = minimum factor of safety based on 0.2% proof
yield stress point as determined in 9.5.1 where
S = allowable stress, kPa (psi) A = inside net platform area, m2 (ft2)
Y.P. = yield point, based on 0.2% proof yield stress W = minimum rated load, kg (lb)
point, kPa (psi)
Figure 9.7 gives the minimum load to sustain and lower
for various inside net platform areas.
60
ASME A18.1-2020
Figure 9.7 Minimum Loads to Sustain and Lower Based on Inside Net Platform Area
GENERAL NOTE:
1 lb = 0.45 kg
1 ft2 = 9.29 E−02 m2
9.8 Tapered Rope Sockets 9.8.6.2 Thermosetting resin composition shall

conform to the requirements in 9.8.6.2.1 through 9.8.6.2.5.
9.8.1 The axial length, L, of the tapered portion of the
socket shall be not less than 43∕4 times the diameter of the 9.8.6.2.1 Uncured (liquid) material shall have the
wire rope used. following properties:
(a) Viscosity of Resin-Catalyst Mixture. The viscosity of

9.8.2 The axial length, L′, of the open portion of the the resin-catalyst mixture shall be sufficiently low to
rope socket shall be not less than 4 times the diameter permit rapid, complete saturation of the rope rosette
of the wire rope used. to prevent entrapment of air.
9.8.3 The length of the straight bore, L″, at the small (b) Flash Point. All components shall have a minimum
end of the socket shall be not more than 12 mm (0.5 in.) nor flash point of 27°C (80°F).
less than 3 mm (0.125 in.), and its outer edge shall be (c) Shelf Life. All components shall have a minimum
rounded and free from cutting edges. shelf life of 1 year at 21°C (70°F).
(d) Pot Life and Cure Time. After mixing, the resin-cata-
9.8.4 The diameter, d, of the hole at the large end of the lyst mixture shall be pourable for a minimum of 8 min at
tapered portion of the socket shall be not less than 21∕4 21°C (70°F) and shall cure within 1 h after hardening.
times nor more than 3 times the diameter of the wire Heating of the resin mixture in the socket to accelerate
rope used. curing shall follow the resin manufacturer’s instructions.
9.8.5 The diameter of the hole in the small end of the 9.8.6.2.2 Cured resin shall have the following
socket shall not exceed the nominal diameter of the rope properties:
by more than 2 mm (0.09375 in.). (a) Socket Performance. Resin, when cured, shall
9.8.6 Only babbitt metal or thermosetting resin develop sufficient holding strength to solvent-washed
compositions intended for wire rope resocketing shall wire-in-wire rope sockets to develop 80% of the ultimate
be used to secure ropes in tapered sockets. The embed- strength of all types of wire rope. No slippage of wire is
ment material shall conform to 9.8.6.1 or 9.8.6.2. permissible when testing resin-filled rope socket assem-
blies in tension; however, after testing, some seating of the
9.8.6.1 Babbitt metal shall contain at least 9% of resin cone shall be permitted to be apparent and is accept-
antimony and shall be clean and free from dross. able. Resin terminations shall also be capable of with-
standing tensile shock loading.
61
ASME A18.1-2020
(b) Shrinkage. The volumetric shrinkage of fully cured constant resistance and in which the rated current at
resin shall not exceed 2%. The use of an inert filler in the rated voltage is flowing. The electric circuit shall be
resin is permissible. closed, but shall not be broken at the contact within
(c) Curing. The resin-catalyst mixture shall be capable the device on each cycle of operation during the tests.
of curing either at ambient 16°C to 38°C (60°F to 100°F) or
9.9.1.3 Tests of Combination Mechanical Locks and
elevated temperatures. At temperatures below 16°C
Electric Contact. The testing equipment shall actuate the
(60°F), an elevated temperature cure shall be used.
locking members of combination mechanical locks and
9.8.6.2.3 The thermoset resin composition electric contacts to unlock at each cycle of operation
intended for wire rope socketing shall be supplied in during the tests specified by 9.9.1.3.1, 9.9.1.3.3, and
two parts consisting of preweighed resin and catalyst, 9.9.1.3.4.
each packaged separately within a kit. Each kit containing
9.9.1.3.1 Endurance Test. The device, lubricated in
the thermoset resin composition shall consist of the
accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction, shall
following:
complete 25 000 cycles of operation without failure of
(a) preweighed thermoset resin
any kind, without excessive wearing or loosening of
(b) preweighed catalyst
parts, and without undue burning or pitting of the
(c) necessary materials for mixing and pouring
contacts.
(d) detachable label on resin container
9.9.1.3.2 Current Interruption Test. After comple-
9.8.6.2.4 The label on the resin container shall
tion of the test specified by 9.9.1.3.1, the device therein
show the following information:
shall satisfactorily complete the following additional tests,
(a) product name
to check that the ability to break a live circuit is adequate.
(b) part designation (e.g., “Part A” or “Resin”)
The test shall be carried out with the locking device
(c) manufacturer’s name and address
located in accordance with the manufacturer’s drawings.
(d) mixing instructions
(a) Alternating-current-rated (AC) locking devices
(e) ICC information
shall have their electrical parts connected to an inductive
(f) safety warnings and cautions
circuit with a power factor of 0.7 ± 0.05 in which a current
(g) packaging date
of 11 times the rated current, at 110% of rated voltage, is
(h) flash point
flowing. The AC locking devices shall open and close 50
(i) shelf life
times, at normal speed, and at intervals of 5 s to 10 s, with
(j) storage instructions
the contact remaining closed for at least 0.5 s.
(k) curing instructions
(b) Direct-current-rated (DC) locking devices shall
(l) net weight
have their electrical parts connected to an inductive

9.8.6.2.5 The label on the catalyst container shall circuit in which the current reaches 95% of the steady
show the following information: state value of 110% of the rated current in 0.3 s max.,
(a) product name at 100% of rated voltage. The DC locking devices shall
(b) part designation (e.g., “Part B,” “Catalyst,” or “Hard- open and close 20 times, at normal speed, and at intervals
ener”) of 5 s to 10 s, with the contact remaining closed for at least
(c) manufacturer’s name and address 0.5 s.
(d) safety warnings and cautions (c) The tests results are considered satisfactory if no
(e) flash point evidence of insulation breakdown due to arcing or
(f) storage instructions tracking occurs and if no deterioration occurs that
(g) net weight could adversely affect safety.
9.9.1.3.3 Test Without Lubrication. After comple-
ð20Þ 9.9 Engineering Tests
tion of the test specified by 9.9.1.3.2, the device used
9.9.1 Test of Combination Mechanical Locks and therein shall be used for this test. The device, except
Electric Contacts. Tests of combination mechanical self-lubricating bearings and bearings of a type not
locks and electric contacts shall be conducted by a nation- requiring frequent replenishment of lubricant, shall
ally recognized testing laboratory. then be taken apart and freed of lubricant by washing
9.9.1.1 General. This section specifies the type of in nonflammable liquids having cleansing characteristics.
testing for locking devices for doors or gates. After reassembly, the device shall, without other than the
usual initial adjustment (i.e., without adjustment espe-
9.9.1.2 Connections for and Test of Electrical Parts. cially made to meet the conditions of the particular
During the tests specified by 9.9.1.3.1, 9.9.1.3.3, and test) and without further attention, complete 20 000
9.9.1.3.4, the devices shall have their electrical parts cycles of operation without failure of any kind, without
connected in a noninductive electrical circuit having a
62
ASME A18.1-2020
excessive wearing or loosening of parts, and without 9.9.1.3.6 Insulation Test. The insulation of the
undue burning or pitting of contacts. electrical parts shall withstand a test with a root mean
square (effective) voltage of twice the rated voltage
9.9.1.3.4 Test in Moist Atmosphere. After comple-
plus 1 000 V, 60 Hz, applied for 1 min. The voltage
tion of the test specified in 9.9.1.3.3, the device used
shall be applied between all ungrounded live parts and
therein shall be used for this test. The devices shall be
grounded metal parts, including the intended mounting
subjected continuously, in an unventilated enclosure,
surface.
to an atmosphere saturated with a range of 3.5% to
5% solution of sodium chloride for 72 consecutive hours. 9.9.1.3.7 Static Test. After completion of the
During this period, it shall be operated for only 10 con- endurance test in 9.9.1.3.1, a static force shall be
secutive cycles at the end of each of the first two 24-h applied to the device. The force shall be applied in the
periods and shall be allowed to stand exposed to the opening direction of the element and at a location as
air for 24 h, and shall not fail in a manner that creates near to the locking element as possible, but not to
an unsafe condition. The device shall again be lubricated exceed 300 mm (12 in.). In the case of a locking device
and shall, without adjustment and without further atten- intended for use with sliding doors, the force shall be
tion, complete 10 000 cycles of operation without failure 1 000 N (225 lbf). In the case of a locking device intended
of any kind. for use with swinging doors, the force shall be 670 N (150
lbf), applied at right angles to the panel, evenly distributed
9.9.1.3.5 Misalignment Test over a round or square area 5 cm2 (0.78 in.2). In each case,
(a) All Types of Doors. The device shall operate effec- the force shall be increased gradually until the required
tively when the car cam or other equivalent operating force is applied to the device. After reaching the required
device used in making the test has been displaced hori- force, the force shall be maintained for a period of 300 s.
zontally from its normal position (the position in which it 9.9.2 Engineering Tests — Testing of Safeties on
was when the device was installed) successively as Inclined Platform Lifts and Inclined Stairway Chairlifts.
follows: Suspend the platform or carriage with the specified load at
(1) in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the a height that is more than 15.24 cm (6 in.) from the lower
door opening limit of the normal travel. Allow it to drop (free fall) until
(-a) backward 6 mm (0.25 in.) the platform or carriage and load are stopped by the over-
(-b) forward 6 mm (0.25 in.) speed Type A safety device. The test shall be witnessed by,
(2) in a direction parallel to the plane of the door and the test results certified by, a nationally recognized
opening testing laboratory or registered professional engineer. A
(-a) to the right 6 mm (0.25 in.) minimum of 12 tests shall be conducted equally divided
(-b) to the left 6 mm (0.25 in.) between the following four test types:

(b) Horizontally Sliding Doors. The device shall operate (a) test type 1: test using rated load with the lift oper-
effectively ating at an angle of 45 deg from the horizontal
(1) when the bottom of the door has been displaced (b) test type 2: test using rated load with the lift oper-
horizontally from its normal positioning in a direction per- ating at an angle of 20 deg or the minimum operating angle
pendicular to the plane of the door opening as specified by the manufacturer, whichever is greater
(-a) backward 6 mm (0.25 in.) (c) test type 3: test using no load with the lift operating
(-b) forward 6 mm (0.25 in.) at an angle of 45 deg from the horizontal
(2) when the top of the door has been displaced hori- (d) test type 4: test using no load with the lift operating
zontally from its normal position in a direction perpen- at an angle of 20 deg or the minimum operating angle as
dicular to the plane of the door opening specified by the manufacturer, whichever is greater
(-a) backward 3 mm (0.125 in.) At the conclusion of the test series, the braking distance
(-b) forward 3 mm (0.125 in.) for any test shall not exceed 15.24 cm (6 in.) measured
(c) Swinging Doors. The device shall operate effectively along the incline, and all support or safety components of
when the strike edge of the door has been displaced the overspeed safety device, rail, and truck shall have
(1) perpendicular to the plane of the door opening performed without structural failure. A test on a given
(-a) forward 3 mm (0.125 in.) capacity lift shall be acceptable for all similarly designed
(-b) backward 3 mm (0.125 in.) lifts by the manufacturer for the same or lesser capacity
(2) parallel to the plane of the door opening (rated loads).
(-a) 3 mm (0.125 in.) to the right
(-b) 3 mm (0.125 in.) to the left
(-c) 3 mm (0.125 in.) up
(-d) 3 mm (0.125 in.) down
63
ASME A18.1-2020
ð20Þ 10 ACCEPTANCE AND PERIODIC INSPECTIONS (10) rated load, platform floor area, and data plate
AND TESTS (11) ride
(b) machine inspections
10.1 General Requirements (1) enclosure of machine space
(2) guarding of exposed auxiliary equipment
10.1.1 Periodic Inspections. Periodic inspections shall
(3) overhead beam and fastenings
be made or witnessed by an inspector employed by or
(4) drive-machine brake
authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.
(5) traction-drive machines
10.1.1.1 The inspector shall submit a signed written (6) gears and bearings
report to the authority having jurisdiction containing the (7) winding drum machine
following information: (8) belt- or chain-drive machine
(a) date and time of inspection(s) (9) traction sheaves
(b) type of test(s) performed (10) secondary and deflector sheaves
(c) detailed results of the test(s) (11) rope fastenings
(d) code deficiencies noted during the inspection and (12) slack-rope devices
test(s), including references to the applicable code and (13) governor, overspeed switch, and seal
rule numbers(s) (14) platform safeties
(e) statement as to any corrective action taken (15) hydraulic power unit
(16) control valves
10.1.2 Periodic Tests
(17) hydraulic cylinders
10.1.2.1 Periodic tests shall be made by lift personnel (c) inside runway inspections
in the presence of the inspector specified in 10.1.1. (1) platform, overhead, and deflector sheaves
(2) normal terminal stopping devices
10.1.3 Qualification of Inspectors. All inspectors shall
(3) final terminal stopping devices
meet the qualification requirements of ASME QEI-1.
(4) broken rope, chain, or tape switch
Inspectors and inspection supervisors shall be certified
(5) counterweight
in accordance with the requirements of ASME QEI-1 by
(6) headroom
an accredited, independent organization concerned
(7) slack-rope devices
with personnel certification.
(8) traveling sheave
10.1.4 Applicability of Inspection and Test Require- (9) platform safeties and guiding members
ments. Inspections and tests required by section 10 (10) runway construction
are to determine that the equipment conforms with (11) pipes, wiring, and ducts
the following applicable standard requirements: (12) runway clearances

(a) the standard requirements at the time of installa- (13) traveling cables and junction boxes
tion (14) door and gate equipment
(b) the standard requirements at the time of any altera- (15) platform frame
tion (16) guide rails, fastening, and equipment
(17) governor rope
10.1.5 Installation Placed Out of Service or Altered.
(18) governor releasing carrier
When an installation is placed out of service or an altera-
(19) wire rope fastening and hitch plate
tion is being made to the lift (see 1.3, Definitions), inspec-
(20) suspension rope
tions and tests may be discontinued. Before the
(21) compensation ropes and chains
installation is put back in service, it shall be subject to
(d) outside runway inspections
an acceptance inspection and test(s).
(1) runway doors
10.1.6 Inspection Requirements. Periodic inspections (2) runway door-locking devices
shall include, where applicable, the following: (3) runway enclosure
(a) inside platform inspections
(1) stop switches 10.2 One-Year Test Requirements
(2) operating control devices 10.2.1 Cylinders. Cylinders that are exposed shall be
(3) floor and landing sill visually examined. Cylinders that are not exposed shall
(4) lighting be tested. After a minimum of 15 min, a change in platform
(5) emergency signal position that cannot be accounted for by visible oil
(6) door or gate leakage, valve leakage, or temperature change indicates
(7) enclosure a leak in the unexposed portion of the cylinder or the
(8) floor piping.
(9) signs and operating device symbols
64
ASME A18.1-2020
10.2.1.1 Flexible Hydraulic Hose and Fitting Assem- or blocking and creating slack rope causing the device to
blies. Raise the platform until it is stopped by the mechan- operate. The slack rope can also be obtained by operation
ical limits of travel or the cylinder stop ring is engaged. of the safety during the annual safety test.
Then operate the system at rated speed to provide full
relief valve bypass pressure for 30 s. While under pres- 10.3 Acceptance and 5-Year Periodic Inspections
sure, observe hoses for any signs of leakage, slippage of and Tests
hose fittings, and damage to the outer hose covering suffi-
All new installations shall be inspected and tested to
cient to expose reinforcement or cause distortion or
determine their safety and compliance with the applicable
bulging of the hose body. Any of these signs require re-
requirements of this Standard before being placed in
placement of the hose.
service. The inspections and tests shall include periodic,
10.2.2 Platform Safeties and those specified in 10.3.
10.2.2.1 All working parts of platform safeties shall 10.3.1 General Requirements for Type A Safeties. The
be examined to determine that they are in satisfactory following requirements apply to the acceptance tests of
operating condition. Type A safeties.
10.2.2.2 Safeties shall be subjected to the following 10.3.1.1 Platform safeties shall be tested with rated
tests with no load in the platform: load in the platform. Inclined platform lifts and inclined
(a) Type A governor-operated safeties shall be oper- stairway chairlifts with Type A nonadjustable safeties
ated by tripping the governor by hand with the platform complying with 9.9.2 shall be permitted to be tested
operating at the slowest operating speed in the down with no load in the platform. In making the test of platform
direction. In this test, the safety shall bring the platform safeties, the load shall be centered on each quarter of the
to rest promptly. In the case of Type A safeties employing platform floor symmetrically with respect to the center-
rollers or dogs for application of the safety, the rollers or lines of the platform floor. Counterweight safeties, where
dogs are not required to operate their full travel. provided, shall be tested with no load in the platform.
(b) Governor-operated wood guide-rail safeties shall 10.3.1.2 The tripping speed of the governor shall be
be tested by tripping the governor by hand with the plat- measured by means of a tachometer, except for inclined
form at rest and moving the platform in the down direction platform lifts and inclined stairway chairlifts with Type A
until it is brought to rest by the safety, and the hoisting nonadjustable safeties complying with 9.9.2.
ropes slip on the traction machines or become slack on
winding drum machines. 10.3.1.3 If adjustments to the governor tripping
(c) Type A and wood guide-rail safeties without gover- speed are made, the governor shall be sealed immediately
nors that are operated as a result of the breaking or slack- following the test.

ening of the hoisting ropes shall be tested by obtaining the 10.3.1.4 The operation of the governor overspeed
necessary slack rope to cause it to function. and the platform safety-mechanism switch shall be
10.2.3 Governors. Governors shall be inspected and tested to determine conformance.
operated manually to determine that all parts, including 10.3.1.5 After the safety has stopped the platform,
those that impart the governor pull-through tension to the the level of the platform floor shall be checked to deter-
governor rope, operate freely. mine conformance.
10.2.4 Slack-Rope Devices on Winding Drum 10.3.2 Type A Governor-Operated Safeties. Type A
Machines. Slack-rope devices on winding drum machines governor-operated safeties shall be tested by operating
shall be operated manually to determine conformance the platform at its normal speed in the down direction
with the applicable requirements. and tripping the governor jaws by hand. A test shall
10.2.5 Normal and Final Terminal Stopping Devices. also be made of the inertia application of the safety to
Normal and final terminal stopping devices shall be tested determine conformance by attaching the proper weight
to determine conformance with the applicable require- to the return run of the governor rope. The manufacturer
ments. shall inform the person making the test of the weight nec-
essary to be added to the governor rope when making the
10.2.6 Broken Rope, Tape, or Chain Switch. Where a inertia application test. This weight shall be the weight
rope, tape, or chain is used to connect the motion of the necessary to reproduce inertia operation of the safety,
platform to the machine room normal limit, the switch that at not more than 9∕10 gravity. The inertia application
senses failure of this connection shall be tested. test shall be made with the platform stationary, and
10.2.7 Slack-Rope Device on Roped-Hydraulic the weight when released shall move the safety parts
Machines. Slack-rope devices for roped-hydraulic lifts into contact with the rails.
will be tested for conformance by lowering the platform
65
ASME A18.1-2020
10.3.2.1 If means other than inertia application of the 11.1.1.1 Maintenance shall be performed by lift per-
safety is provided, such means shall be tested in an appro- sonnel.
priate manner to ensure that the safety will apply without
11.1.1.2 The WMP shall be available to lift personnel.
appreciable delay under free-fall conditions and that
safety application is independent of the location of the 11.1.2 The WMP for lifts covered by sections 2 through ð20Þ
break in the hoisting ropes. 4 shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) routine maintenance and examinations at sched-
10.3.3 Type A Safeties Without Governors. Type A
uled intervals to ensure that the installation conforms
safeties without governors that are operated only as a
to the requirements of this Standard
result of the breaking or slackening of the suspension
(b) a log as required by 11.2
ropes shall be tested by obtaining the necessary slack
(c) a procedure for checking the operation of the lift to
rope to cause it to function.
be conducted at least once per week by authorized per-
10.3.3.1 The overspeed switch on the governor shall sonnel
be inoperative during the overspeed test. In order to
11.1.3 The WMP shall be available at the time of the
assume that the safety will retard the platform with
periodic inspection.
minimum assistance from the driving machine and mini-
mize the development of slack rope and fallback of the 11.1.4 The WMP for lifts covered by sections 5 through
counterweight, the switch on the platform operated by 7 does not need to include a procedure for weekly opera-
the platform safety mechanism shall, for the duration tional checks as required by 11.1.2(c).
of the test, be temporarily adjusted to open as close as
possible to the position at which the platform safety 11.2 Log
mechanism is in the fully applied position. 11.2.1 A log shall be established by the firm performing
10.3.4 Normal Terminal Stopping Devices the maintenance and maintained by lift personnel
including, but not limited to, the following:
10.3.4.1 The bottom normal terminal stopping (a) completion date of all maintenance or repair(s)
device shall be tested with 125% of rated load on the plat- (b) name of person doing the maintenance or repair(s)
form for conformance. (c) nature of the maintenance or repair(s)
10.3.4.2 The top normal terminal stopping device (d) record of all malfunctions
shall be tested with no load on the platform for confor- (e) record of all accidents occurring on the lift regard-
mance. less of the nature of the accident
(f) a record of the date and time when the operational
10.3.5 Stop Ring. The plunger shall be inspected by check as required in (c) was conducted, including the
inching the platform up to verify that a stop ring has

name of the person conducting the check
been provided. (g) name and telephone number of persons(s) to
10.3.6 Bottom Cylinder Clearance. The bottom cylin- contact in case of an emergency
der clearance shall be checked to determine conformance. (h) emergency evacuation procedure
10.3.7 Speed. The rated speed in the up direction and 11.2.2 Logs for lifts covered by sections 5 through 7
the operating speed in the down direction shall be verified. shall include, but are not limited to, 11.2.1(a) through (e),
(g) and (h).
11 MAINTENANCE OF PLATFORM LIFTS AND 11.2.3 All logs and records required by 11.2.1 shall be
STAIRWAY CHAIRLIFTS retained for a minimum of 5 yr.
Operation and maintenance instructions in this Stan- 11.3 On-Site Documentation
dard are intended for general applications. The equipment
manufacturer and/or installer shall be consulted for spe- 11.3.1 The on-site documentation shall include, but is
cific operating or maintenance instructions. not limited to, the following:
(a) wiring diagram
11.1 Written Maintenance Program (WMP/MCP) (b) instruction manual containing procedures for
performing required examinations and tests
11.1.1 A WMP shall be provided by the manufacturer, (c) manufacturer’s operational instructions that
installer, or firm performing the maintenance of the equip- include the operation of the manual lowering device, if
ment for lifts covered by sections 2 through 7. Logs for lifts provided
covered by sections 5 through 7 do not need to include a (d) the log as required by 11.2.1
record of weekly operational checks as required by
11.2.1(f).
66
ð20Þ
NONMANDATORY APPENDIX A
PERFORMANCE AREA LIFTS
Figure A-1 Performance Area Lift
ASME A18.1-2020
67
CONTROLS FOR PERFORMANCE AREA LIFTS
NONMANDATORY APPENDIX B
Figure B-1 Performance Area Lift Control Options

ASME A18.1-2020
68
ð20Þ
Figure B-1 Performance Area Lift Control Options (Cont’d)
ASME A18.1-2020
69
ASME A18.1-2020

Safety Standard For Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts: ASME A18.1-2020

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Safety Standard for

Safety Standard for

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

ASME is the registered trademark of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

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No part of this document may be reproduced in any form,

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

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STANDARDS COMMITTEE OFFICERS

STANDARDS COMMITTEE PERSONNEL

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Secretary, A18 Standards Committee

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SAFETY STANDARD FOR PLATFORM LIFTS AND

1 INTRODUCTION The provisions of this Standard are not intended to

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ð20Þ Table 1.5-1 Reference Documents

IEEE/ASTM SI 10-1997 American National Standard for Use 1.4 ANSI

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AWS D1.3:1998 Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel 9.1.2 AWS

IBC-2015 International Building Code 1.3 ICC

IRC-2015 International Residential Code 1.3 ICC

Table 1.5-1 Reference Documents (Cont’d)

NFPA 99-2005 Standard for Health Care Facilities 2.11.3 NFPA

SAE AS100-1994 Fitting, Cross, Short Flareless 8.1.7.1 SAE

SAE J514-2004 Hydraulic Tube Fitting 8.1.7.2.1 SAE

SAE J517-2008 Hydraulic Hose 8.1.7.1 SAE

Table 1.5-2 Procurement Information ð20Þ

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AWS American Welding Society U.S. GPO Superintendent of Documents

2.1.1.4 All doors shall be provided with a combina-

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Figure 2.6.7 Platform Lift Corridor Call Station Pictograph

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